BEGONIACEAE 1. BEGONIA Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 1056. 1753.

BEGONIACEAE 

秋海棠科 qiu hai tang ke 

Gu Cuizhi ( 谷粹芝 Ku Tsue-chih) 1 , Ching-I Peng ( 彭镜毅 ) 2 , Nicholas J. Turland 3 

Perennial succulent herbs, very rarely subshrubs. Stem erect, frequently rhizomatous, or plants tuberous and either acaulescent 

or shortly stemmed, rarely lianoid or climbing with adventitious roots, or stoloniferous. Leaves simple, rarely palmately compound, 

alternate or all basal, petiolate, stipules usually deciduous; blade often oblique and asymmetric, rarely symmetric, margin irregularly 

serrate and divided, occasionally entire, venation usually palmate. Flowers unisexual, plants monoecious, rarely dioecious, (1 or)2–4 

to several, rarely numerous in dichotomous cyme, sometimes in panicles, with pedicel and bracts. Staminate flower: tepals 2 or 4 and 

decussate, usually outer ones larger, inner ones smaller; stamens usually numerous; filaments free or connate at base; anthers 2- 

celled, apical or lateral. Pistillate flower: tepals 2–5(–10), usually free, rarely connate at base; ovary nodding, pendulous, or 

ascending, 1–3-, rarely 4–8-loculed; placentae axile or parietal; styles 2 or 3(or more), free or fused at base, forked once or more; 

stigma turgid, spirally twisted-tortuous or U-shaped, capitate or reniform and setose-papillose. Capsule dry, sometimes berrylike, 

unequally or subequally 3-winged, rarely wingless and 3- or 4-horned; seeds very numerous, minute, oblong, testa pale brown, 

reticulate. 

Two or three genera and more than 1400 species: widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world; one genus and 173 

species (141 endemic) in China. 

Ku Tsuechih. 1999. Begoniaceae. In: Ku Tsuechih, ed., Fl. Reipubl. Popularis Sin. 52(1): 126–269. 

1. BEGONIA Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 1056. 1753. 

秋海棠属 qiu hai tang shu 

Perennial succulent herbs, rarely subshrubs. Stem erect, frequently rhizomatous, or plants tuberous and either acaulescent or 

shortly stemmed, rarely lianoid or climbing with adventitious roots, or stoloniferous. Leaves simple, rarely palmately compound, 

alternate or all basal; blade often oblique and asymmetric, rarely symmetric, margin often irregularly serrate and divided, occasionally 

entire, venation usually palmate; petiole long, weak; stipules membranous, usually deciduous. Flowers unisexual, plants 

monoecious, rarely dioecious, (1 or)2–4 to several, rarely numerous, in dichotomous cymes, sometimes in panicle, with pedicels and 

bracts. Staminate flower: tepals 2 or 4 and decussate, usually outer ones larger, inner ones smaller; stamens usually numerous; 

filaments free or connate at base; anthers 2-celled, apical or lateral; connectives extended at apex, sometimes apiculate. Pistillate 

flower: tepals 2–5(–10); pistil composed of 2–5(–7) carpels; ovary inferior, 1–3(–7)-loculed; placentae axile or parietal; styles 2 or 

3(or more), free or fused at base, forked once or more; stigma turgid, spirally twisted-tortuous or U-shaped, capitate or reniform, 

setose-papillose. Capsule dry, sometimes berrylike, unequally or subequally 3-winged, rarely wingless and 3- or 4-horned; seeds very 

numerous, pale brown, oblong, minute, testa reticulate. 

More than 1400 species: widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, with ca. 150 species in Africa, more than 600 

species in Central and South America, and more than 600 species in Asia; 173 species (141 endemic) in China. 

Begonia species in China are mostly distributed S of the Chang Jiang, particularly concentrated in SE Yunnan and SW Guangxi, with only a few 

extending into N China. 

The authors learned of two additional, recently described species as this volume was going to press. Begonia guaniana H. Ma & H. Z. Li (Ann. 

Bot. Fenn. 43: 466. 2006) was described from NE Yunnan (Yanjin), where it grows on moist cliffs under bamboo forest at ca. 500 m. Its chromosome 

number is 2n = 24*. It resembles B. labordei, especially in its tuberous, stemless habit. Begonia coelocentroides Y. M. Shui & Z. D. Wei (Acta 

Phytotax. Sin. 45: 86. 2007) was described from W Yunnan (Yingjiang), where it grows on cliffs often in forests or near streams at ca. 1300 m, 

flowering in August and fruiting in October. It resembles B. oreodoxa in having parietal placentae at the upper part of the ovary, differing mainly in the 

female flowers with 5 tepals and the largest wing of the capsule being 20–22 mm and ligulate. 

The records of Begonia balansana Gagnepain from Guangxi and Yunnan in FRPS (52(1): 212. 1999) are possibly errors and require confirmation. 

The second author has seen no specimens from China that would substantiate these records. This species is believed to be endemic to N Vietnam. 

See also Tebbitt (Edinburgh J. Bot. 60: 1–9. 2003). 

It can be difficult to key out the sections of Begonia, because sectional distinctions rely heavily on the placentation structure, which is either 

unavailable on specimens or difficult to analyse (many Begonia specimens are poorly prepared). Information on sections to which Begonia species 

belong may be desirable to specialists, although it should be noted that there are disagreements about the placement of some species. Please refer to Y. 

M. Shui, C.-I Peng & C. Y. Wu, Synopsis of the Chinese species of Begonia (Begoniaceae), with a reappraisal of the sectional delimitation (Bot. Bull. 

Acad. Sin. 43: 313–327. 2002). 

1 Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan, Beijing 100093, People’s Republic of China. 

2 Herbarium (HAST), Research Center for Biodiversity, Academia Sinica, Nangang, Taipei, 115. 

3 Missouri Botanical Garden, P.O. Box 299, Saint Louis, Missouri 63166–0299, U.S.A. 

Extensive contributions were received from Wai-Chao Leong ( 梁慧舟 ) and Shin-Ming Ku ( 古訓銘 ), Herbarium (HAST), Research Center for Biodiversity, Academia 

Sinica, Nangang, Taipei, 115. 

153

154 


In China, all species are perennial herbs (rarely subshrubs). All species with basal tubers are described as deciduous, although living material is 

not available for all tuberous species. The aerial parts of the plants wilt in winter or in the dry season. Most species are monoecious with cymose, 

dichasial inflorescences. The inflorescences are usually protandrous (staminate flowers open before pistillate flowers) and gynaeandrous (staminate 

flowers basal and pistillate flowers distal). 

Keys to species 

1a. Leaf peltate .................................................................................................................................................................................. Key 1 

1b. Leaf not peltate. 

2a. Plant deciduous, tuberous (if rhizomatous, rhizomes moniliform). 

3a. Leaf mainly on elongate aerial stem or creeping moniliform rhizome ............................................................................... Key 2 

3b. Leaf solitary, binary or several and fasciculate on tuber or on a very short stem, occasionally with 1(or 2) distinct 

cauline leaves ........................................................................................................................................................................ Key 3 

2b. Plant evergreen, not tuberous. 

4a. Fruit fleshy, berrylike, indehiscent, wingless, sometimes horned or ridged ....................................................................... Key 4 

4b. Fruit capsular, dehiscent, 3-winged. 

5a. Leaf compound or deeply lobed ........................................................................................................................................ Key 5 

5b. Leaf unlobed to shallowly lobed (divided to no more than 1/3 of leaf length). 

6a. Leaf blade at least 2 × as long as wide .......................................................................................................................... Key 6 

6b. Leaf blade less than 2 × as long as wide. 

7a. Leaves mainly on aerial stem at anthesis (on rhizomes when sterile) ....................................................................... Key 7 

7b. Leaves on well-developed rhizome or prostrate stem, cauline leaves lacking or 1 or 2(or 3). 

8a. Female tepals 3, rarely 2 or 4; middle cross-section of ovary with parietal or septal placentation ....................... Key 8 

8b. Female tepals 5, rarely 6 or more; middle cross-section of ovary with axile placentation 

(placentae parietal in B. pseudodryadis) ................................................................................................................. Key 9 

Key 1 

1a. Stem aerial, elongate, erect or ascending to pendulous, somewhat woody in appearance; leaves all cauline; 

blade lanceolate ................................................................................................................................................ 147. B. sinofloribunda 

1b. Stem rhizomatous or tuberous; leaves on rhizome or fasciculate, occasionally 1 and cauline; blade 

narrowly ovate to broadly ovate, broadly elliptic, or orbicular. 

2a. Leaf distinctly denticulate or serrulate. 

3a. Plant deciduous, tuberous; leaf solitary, shallowly lobed; inflorescence racemose at base, cymose 

above; placentae axile ............................................................................................................................................. 75. B. josephii 

3b. Plant evergreen, rhizomatous; leaves several, not divided; inflorescence dichotomous, cymose; 

placentae parietal. 

4a. Leaf blade densely hairy. 

5a. Leaf blade occasionally not peltate, without angular lobes; staminate tepals 4 ......................................... 161. B. variifolia 

5b. Leaf blade consistently peltate, with 2- or 3-angular lobes; staminate tepals 2 or 4 ............................. 7. B. asteropyrifolia 

4b. Leaf blade sparsely to moderately hairy. 

6a. Leaf venation spider-web like, tertiary veins percurrent, protruding on abaxial surface .................. 160. B. umbraculifolia 

6b. Leaf venation not as above, smaller veins randomly reticulate, fine, not protruding on abaxial 

surface ................................................................................................................................................ 144. B. setulosopeltata 

2b. Leaf blade entire or nearly so. 

7a. Fruit descending or deflexed, indehiscent, berrylike, clavate, wingless ............................................................ 34. B. cylindrica 

7b. Fruit nodding, dehiscent, capsular, 3-winged. 

8a. Leaf blade broadly ovate to orbicular; abaxial wing of capsule triangular. 

9a. Leaf blade glabrous, smooth, without white dots, thick, succulent; placentae axile ............................... 116. B. peltatifolia 

9b. Leaf blade hispidulous, rugulose, with numerous white dots, papery; placentae parietal ................ 144. B. setulosopeltata 

8b. Leaf blade narrowly ovate, ovate, or broadly elliptic; abaxial wing of capsules lunate. 

10a. Leaf blade abaxially red; tepals apically acute, both male and female tepals 2 ........................................... 164. B. wangii 

10b. Leaf blade abaxially pale green; tepals apically obtuse, male tepals 4, female tepals 3. 

11a. Leaf blade ovate or broadly elliptic; stipules reniform, apex emarginate or obtuse; petiole not 

swollen at base ........................................................................................................................................ 18. B. cavaleriei 

11b. Leaf blade narrowly ovate; stipules triangular, apex acuminate or cuspidate; petiole swollen 

at base .................................................................................................................................................. 127. B. pulvinifera 

Key 2 

1a. Plant rhizomatous; capsules nodding; ovary 2-loculed. 

2a. Leaf blade glabrous or subglabrous; female tepals 3(or 4), glabrous ...................................................... 11. B. austrotaiwanensis 

2b. Leaf blade pubescent; female tepals 5, pubescent ..................................................................................................... 55. B. forrestii

BEGONIACEAE 155 

1b. Plant tuberous; capsules pendulous; ovary 3-loculed. 

3a. Plant with many elongated stolons terminated by tubers ......................................................................................... 129. B. ravenii 

3b. Plant without stolons; bulbils on aerial stem present or not. 

4a. Herb usually 20–60 cm tall. 

5a. Leaf blade narrowly triangular; bulbils absent; inflorescence protogynous; male flowers only on 

upper part of terminal inflorescence ......................................................................................................... 101. B. modestiflora 

5b. Leaf blade ovate to broadly ovate; bulbils at leaf axils on aerial stem in late growing season; 

inflorescence protandrous; flowers of both sexes mixed in inflorescence ......................................................... 58. B. grandis 

4b. Herb to 20 cm tall. 

6a. Leaves 1 or 2 ............................................................................................................................................... 57. B. glechomifolia 

6b. Leaves many. 

7a. Leaf blade 7–8 × ca. 6 cm; flowers larger, tepals ca. 8 mm ..................................................................... 19. B. cehengensis 

7b. Leaf blade 1–2.9 × 0.9–3.2 cm; flowers smaller, tepals to 4 mm ........................................................................ 115. B. peii 

Key 3 

1a. Leaf blade divided to more than 1/2 of leaf length. 

2a. Leaf blade distinctly hairy. 

3a. Leaf lobes with lobules ........................................................................................................................................ 156. B. taliensis 

3b. Leaf lobes without lobules ....................................................................................................................................... 73. B. imitans 

2b. Leaf blade glabrous or nearly so. 

4a. Petiole with red, linear dots; leaf lobes with lobules ................................................................................. 140. B. rubropunctata 

4b. Petiole without red, linear dots; leaf lobules absent. 

5a. Plant epiphytic; placentae bifid ............................................................................................................................ 5. B. arboreta 

5b. Plant epipetric; placentae undivided ................................................................................................................ 84. B. lithophila 

1b. Leaf blade unlobed to shallowly lobed, never divided to 1/2 of leaf length. 

6a. Leaf blade glabrous. 

7a. Capsules wingless, fusiform; placentae undivided .............................................................................................. 166. B. wilsonii 

7b. Capsules 3-winged; placentae bifid. 

8a. Both male and female tepals 2. 

9a. Leaf blade herbaceous, shallowly lobed, lobes narrowly triangular ........................................................ 170. B. xishuiensis 

9b. Leaf blade thick, unlobed ..................................................................................................................... 153. B. summoglabra 

8b. Male tepals 4. 

10a. Female tepals 3 or 4 ...................................................................................................................................... 76. B. labordei 

10b. Female tepals 2 ................................................................................................................................. 136. B. rongjiangensis 

6b. Leaf blade pubescent. 

11a. Leaf blade shallowly lobed (to 1/3 of leaf length). 

12a. Leaves several ........................................................................................................................................... 60. B. guishanensis 

12b. Leaves 1 or 2 ................................................................................................................................................ 104. B. muliensis 

11b. Leaf blade unlobed or very shallowly lobed. 

13a. Female tepals 4; capsule irregularly dehiscent, wings subequal ...................................................................... 42. B. discreta 

13b. Female tepals 2, 3, or 5; capsule dehiscent along sutures, wings distinctly unequal (sometimes 

subequal). 

14a. Female flower with 2 bracteoles ......................................................................................................................... 172. B. yui 

14b. Female flower without bracteoles. 

15a. Bracts serrate at apex .................................................................................................................. 38. B. dentatobracteata 

15b. Bracts entire to denticulate or fimbriate. 

16a. Female tepals 2. 

17a. Placentae bifid .............................................................................................................................. 169. B. xingyiensis 

17b. Placentae undivided ............................................................................................................................... 68. B. henryi 

16b. Female tepals 3–5. 

18a. Female tepals 3 (sometimes 4 in B. labordei). 

19a. Inflorescence a single axis, racemose at base ................................................................................. 76. B. labordei 

19b. Inflorescence dichasial or simple with 2 or 3 flowers. 

20a. Outer tepals and ovary pubescent ................................................................................................... 21. B. chingii 

20b. Outer tepals and ovary glabrous ........................................................................................... 51. B. fimbristipula 

18b. Female tepals 5. 

21a. Leaf blade 2–3.4(–4) cm; placentae undivided ............................................................................. 112. B. parvula 

21b. Leaf blade larger; placentae bifid. 

22a. Staminate tepals apically acute .................................................................................................. 2. B. acutitepala

156 


22b. Staminate tepals apically rounded or obtuse. 

23a. Leaf blade 5–8(–15) cm; ovary hairy ........................................................................................... 117. B. picta 

23b. Leaf blade 15–20(–30) cm; ovary glabrous ........................................................................... 6. B. asperifolia 

Key 4 

1a. Plant erect, without creeping rhizome; internodes long. 

2a. Stem scarcely branched; leaf blade less than 2 × as long as wide .................................................................... 79. B. lancangensis 

2b. Stem well branched; leaf blade at least 2 × as long as wide. 

3a. Plant dioecious; flowers fragrant; styles 4; ovary 4-loculed; female tepals 4 ..................................................... 1. B. acetosella 

3b. Plant monoecious; flowers not fragrant; styles 3; ovary 3-loculed; female tepals 6 .......................................... 89. B. longifolia 

1b. Plant rhizomatous, without erect stem; internodes congested. 

4a. Flowers not scented; female tepals 3; fruit ellipsoid to cylindric, more than 2 × as long as wide. 

5a. Leaf blade villous on abaxial surface and on petiole (sometimes nearly glabrous) ............................................... 81. B. leprosa 

5b. Leaf blade densely puberulous on abaxial surface and on petiole .................................................................... 88. B. longicarpa 

4b. Flowers scented; female tepals 4 or 5; fruit nearly as long as wide. 

6a. Plant monoecious; female tepals 5; styles 3; ovary 3-loculed; fruit 3-horned ............................................... 20. B. ceratocarpa 

6b. Plant dioecious; female tepals 4; styles 4; ovary 4-loculed (to many loculed); fruit subglobose or 

4-horned (to many horned). 

7a. Rhizomes elongate-ascending, rarely rooting at nodes; leaf blade narrowly triangular to ovate, 

15–28 × 9–10 cm, tepals glabrous (pubescent in B. handelii var. rubropilosa) ................................................ 64. B. handelii 

7b. Rhizomes repent, rooting at nodes; leaf blade ovate or broadly ovate, (11–)13–53 × 11–40 cm; 

outer tepals abaxially puberulous ................................................................................................................... 146. B. silletensis 

Key 5 

1a. Leaf compound or cleft to base. 

2a. Leaves palmately 3-cleft to base, lobules pinnately parted, petiolule absent ..................................................... 28. B. coptidifolia 

2b. Leaves palmately compound, leaflet 5–9 with distinct petiolule. 

3a. Plant rhizomatous, rhizomes elongate, aerial stems lacking; leaves subleathery, all basal; female tepals 3; 

placentae parietal ....................................................................................................................................................... 47. B. fangii 

3b. Plant erect, rhizomes very short, aerial stems always present; leaves papery, all cauline; female tepals 5; 

placentae axile ................................................................................................................................................... 67. B. hemsleyana 

1b. Leaf simple, distinctly lobed. 

4a. Leaf blade distinctly hairy. 

5a. Aerial stems present and with leaves. 

6a. Petioles with reflexed scalelike hairs .................................................................................................. 130. B. reflexisquamosa 

6b. Petioles not as above. 

7a. Stipules reniform, expanded ..................................................................................................................... 99. B. mengtzeana 

7b. Stipules triangular, not expanded ................................................................................................................... 12. B. baviensis 

5b. Aerial stems seen only at anthesis; cauline leaf usually absent, occasionally 1. 

8a. Leaf blade and ovary pubescent. 

9a. Petioles with reflexed scalelike hairs ............................................................................................................ 100. B. miranda 

9b. Petioles not as above ............................................................................................................................... 113. B. paucilobata 

8b. Leaf blade sparsely pubescent; ovary glabrous. 

10a. Leaf lobes rhombic ....................................................................................................................................... 77. B. lacerata 

10b. Leaf lobes triangular. 

11a. Outer tepals of male flowers 1.7–2 cm ........................................................................................................ 40. B. digyna 

11b. Outer tepals of male flowers 2–2.7 cm ................................................................................................. 83. B. lipingensis 

4b. Leaf blade glabrous to sparsely hairy. 

12a. Leaf blade divided to ca. 1/2 of leaf length. 

13a. Leaf lobes with lobules .......................................................................................................................................... 3. B. algaia 

13b. Leaf lobes not as above. 

14a. Leaf blade 3- or 4-lobed ....................................................................................................................... 32. B. cucurbitifolia 

14b. Leaf blade 5-lobed ................................................................................................................................ 113. B. paucilobata 

12b. Leaf blade divided to 2/3 or more of leaf length. 

15a. Aerial stem well developed; cauline leaf always present. 

16a. Leaf blade without lobules, subglabrous ............................................................................................... 145. B. sikkimensis 

16b. Leaf blade with triangular lobules, glabrous. 

17a. Stem and petioles without red linear dots; abaxial wing of capsule ca. 1.5 cm .................................. 94. B. macrotoma 

17b. Stem and petioles with red linear dots; abaxial wing of capsule 3–5 cm ............................................. 87. B. longialata


15b. Aerial stem seen only at anthesis; cauline leaf absent or occasionally 1. 

18a. Leaf blade with distinct, triangular lobules ............................................................................................. 114. B. pedatifida 

18b. Leaf blade without lobules. 

19a. Leaf blade deeply divided to near base, lobes very narrow, less than 1 cm wide ................................. 141. B. scitifolia 

19b. Leaf blade not as above. 

20a. Abaxial wing of capsule triangular to ligulate; leaf blade dull, herbaceous ................................. 25. B. circumlobata 

20b. Abaxial wing of capsule broadly elliptic to orbicular; leaf blade shiny, somewhat thicker ............ 78. B. laminariae 

Key 6 

1a. Leaf blade symmetric, venation pinnate .......................................................................................................... 171. B. yingjiangensis 

1b. Leaf blade somewhat asymmetric, venation palmate-pinnate. 

2a. Plant trailing with slender stems; capsules equally 3-winged, female inflorescences axillary, peduncle 

reduced, less than 1 cm, 1- or 2-flowered; male inflorescence terminal, producing many flowers .................. 63. B. hainanensis 

2b. Plant not trailing; capsules unequally 3-winged; peduncle elongate; flowers of both sexes mixed in same 

inflorescence. 

3a. Aerial stem branched twice or more. 

4a. Leaf blade irregularly serrulate; styles 3; ovary glabrous, 3-loculed .......................................................... 155. B. taiwaniana 

4b. Leaf blade remotely serrulate. 

5a. Tepals glabrous; styles 2; ovary glabrous, 2-loculed ...................................................................................... 65. B. hatacoa 

5b. Tepals hairy; styles 3; ovary hairy, 3-loculed ..................................................................................... 29. B. coptidimontana 

3b. Aerial stem unbranched or scarcely branched. 

6a. Rhizomatous leaves always present. 

7a. Leaf blade remarkably asymmetric ........................................................................................................ 154. B. ×taipeiensis 

7b. Leaf blade slightly asymmetric. 

8a. Leaves 6–6.5 × 1.9–3 cm, only on rhizome; filaments free; styles entirely fused .................................... 159. B. tsoongii 

8b. Leaves 7–13.6 × 2.3–4.5 cm, on rhizome and aerial stem; filaments entirely fused; styles free ..... 69. B. hongkongensis 

6b. Rhizomatous leaf absent at anthesis. 

9a. Leaf blade very shallowly lobed, bidentate .......................................................................................... 62. B. gungshanensis 

9b. Leaf unlobed or nearly so, irregularly serrulate or denticulate. 

10a. Leaf blade distinctly hairy ................................................................................................................. 16. B. ×buimontana 

10b. Leaf blade glabrous to sparsely hairy. 

11a. Leaves abaxially sanguineous; anthers 1.9–2.2 mm .............................................................................. 91. B. lukuana 

11b. Leaves green; anthers 2.4–3.2 mm. 

12a. Styles 3; ovary 3-loculed; anthers 2.9–3.2 mm .................................................................... 24. B. chuyunshanensis 

12b. Styles 2; ovary 2-loculed; anthers 2.4–2.9 mm ............................................................................... 167. B. wutaiana 

Key 7 

1a. Leaf blade shallowly lobed (divided to ca. 1/3 of leaf length); lobes nearly as long as wide or distinctly 

longer than wide. 

2a. Leaf blade with hairs longer than 2 mm. 

3a. Rhizomes short, stout; abaxial wing of mature capsules broadly elliptic to orbicular, 2–3 cm ......................... 163. B. villifolia 

3b. Rhizomes well developed; abaxial wing of mature capsules triangular to ligulate, to 1.8 cm. 

4a. Leaves purple, with purplish, somewhat soft hairs ................................................................................. 128. B. purpureofolia 

4b. Leaves green, with red stiff hairs ...................................................................................................................... 12. B. baviensis 

2b. Leaf blade with hairs to 1 mm at most. 

5a. Leaf blade abaxially hirsute; styles 3; ovary 3-loculed ................................................................................... 95. B. malipoensis 

5b. Leaf blade not hirsute; styles 2; ovary 2-loculed. 

6a. Leaves villous or tomentose on petiole and abaxial surface; ovary hairy. 

7a. Leaves villous on petiole and abaxial surface ............................................................................................ 149. B. smithiana 

7b. Leaves appressed tomentose on petiole and abaxial surface. 

8a. Tepals yellowish ......................................................................................................................................... 52. B. flaviflora 

8b. Tepals white to pink ................................................................................................................................... 111. B. palmata 

6b. Leaves neither villous nor tomentose; ovary glabrous. 

9a. Leaf blade adaxially glabrous or subglabrous, not puberulous .................................................................. 54. B. formosana 

9b. Leaf blade puberulous. 

10a. Leaves rugulose, lobes truncate ........................................................................................................ 158. B. truncatiloba 

10b. Leaves not rugulose, lobes triangular ........................................................................................................... 45. B. edulis 

1b. Leaf blade unlobed or very shallowly divided; lobes usually wider than long. 

11a. Leaf blade symmetric or nearly so; tepals pink to brownish red ..................................................................... 126. B. psilophylla

158 


11b. Leaf blade distinctly asymmetric; tepals white to pink. 

12a. Leaf blade thin, membranous when dried; styles 3; ovary 3-loculed. 

13a. Inflorescences both terminal and axillary ............................................................................................... 72. B. hymenocarpa 

13b. Inflorescences axillary. 

14a. Plant with a short, stout rhizome at base; leaf blade 7–12 × 4.5–9 cm. 

15a. Plant ca. 60 cm tall; leaf blade oblong-ovate or oblong, 9–10 × 4.5–9 cm ......................................... 27. B. clavicaulis 

15b. Plant 26–35(–39) cm tall; leaf blade triangular-ovate, 7–12 × 4.5–7 cm ..................................... 165. B. wenshanensis 

14b. Plant not rhizomatous, prostrate or trailing at base; leaf blade 4–9 × 3–5 cm. 

16a. Leaf blade unlobed, margin sharply denticulate; tepals hairy ............................................................... 102. B. morifolia 

16b. Leaf blade very shallowly lobed, margin irregularly denticulate; tepals glabrous ................................... 4. B. alveolata 

12b. Leaf blade not membranous; styles 2 or 3; ovary 2- or 3-loculed. 

17a. Female flower axillary, solitary; terminal inflorescence staminate; plant with prostrate or decumbent 

stem, with distinct internodes .................................................................................................................. 151. B. sublongipes 

17b. Flowers of both sexes mixed in the inflorescence; plant rhizomatous, with indistinct internodes 

and/or erect with distinct internodes. 

18a. Rhizome absent ........................................................................................................................................ 41. B. discrepans 

18b. Rhizome present. 

19a. Plant to 13 cm tall; rhizome slender .............................................................................................................. 53. B. fordii 

19b. Plant much taller; rhizome stout. 

20a. Leaf blade adaxially densely hairy. 

21a. Rhizome short, stout; leaves only on aerial stem; leaf blade puberulous ....................................... 17. B. cathayana 

21b. Rhizome elongate; leaves on rhizome and aerial stem; leaf blade not puberulous. 

22a. Staminate flowers usually prematurely dropping in bud; pollen abortive ............................... 105. B. nantoensis 

22b. Staminate flowers opening normally; pollen fertile. 

23a. Leaf blade 6–7 × 4–5 cm; stipules and bracts ciliate ............................................................. 121. B. polytricha 

23b. Leaf blade 7–16(–25) × 5–9(–14) cm; stipules and bracts entire ....................................... 119. B. pinglinensis 

20b. Leaf blade adaxially glabrous to sparsely hairy. 

24a. Leaf abaxial surface and petiole densely puberulous; tepals abaxially puberulous ............................ 43. B. dryadis 

24b. Leaf and tepals not puberulous. 

25a. Leaf blade basally cuneate to rounded, abaxially tomentose ..................................................... 66. B. hekouensis 

25b. Leaf blade basally cordate, not tomentose. 

26a. Female flowers with 2 bracteoles; bracts serrate; abaxial wing of capsule to 5 mm ........... 157. B. tengchiana 

26b. Female flowers without bracteoles; bracts entire; abaxial wing of capsule much longer. 

27a. Rhizome elongate; leaves usually present on rhizomes at anthesis. 

28a. Abaxial wing of capsule triangular, 7–16 mm ................................................................. 54. B. formosana 

28b. Abaxial wing of capsule orbicular, 18–26 mm. 

29a. Aerial stem 0–8(–15) cm; leaf subleathery ..................................................................... 14. B. bouffordii 

29b. Aerial stem 40–95 cm; leaf herbaceous .......................................................................... 23. B. chitoensis 

27b. Rhizome short, stout; leaves not seen on rhizomes at anthesis. 

30a. Leaves abaxially sanguineous; anthers 1.9–2.2 mm; styles 3; ovary 3-loculed ................... 91. B. lukuana 

30b. Leaves green; anthers 2.4–3.2 mm; styles 2 or 3; ovary 2- or 3-loculed. 

31a. Styles 3; ovary 3-loculed; anthers 2.9–3.2 mm ................................................... 24. B. chuyunshanensis 

31b. Styles 2; ovary 2-loculed; anthers 2.4–2.9 mm .............................................................. 167. B. wutaiana 

Key 8 

1a. Styles 2; ovary 2-loculed .......................................................................................................................................... 109. B. oreodoxa 

1b. Styles 3; ovary 3-loculed. 

2a. Middle cross-section of ovary with septal placentation or connecting tissue at center. 

3a. Staminate and pistillate tepals 2; leaf adaxially sparsely appressed rusty fibrillose ......................................... 74. B. jingxiensis 

3b. Staminate tepals 4, pistillate tepals 3. 

4a. Leaf adaxially glabrous ............................................................................................................................... 173. B. zhengyiana 

4b. Leaf adaxially hairy. 

5a. Leaf adaxially long hirsute, tertiary veins obscure ..................................................................................... 152. B. suboblata 

5b. Leaf adaxially sparsely pilose-setose, tertiary veins conspicuous, percurrent .................................... 142. B. semiparietalis 

2b. Middle cross-section of ovary with parietal placentation. 

6a. Leaf without a distinct apex, adaxially glabrous ............................................................................................ 173. B. zhengyiana 

6b. Leaf blade with a distinct apex, adaxially ± pubescent. 

7a. Inflorescence a thyrsoid cyme; leaves 23–50 × 16–40 cm ................................................................................. 85. B. liuyanii 

7b. Inflorescence a dichasial cyme; leaves smaller.


8a. Leaf surface strongly bullate or pustulate 

9a. Leaf blade with dark brown to black broad palmate bands, apex shortly acuminate ............................. 97. B. masoniana 

9b. Leaf blade without dark palmate bands, apex rounded ................................................................... 50. B. fimbribracteata 

8b. Leaf surface flat or rugose. 

10a. Leaf blade sparsely hairy or subglabrous. 

11a. Leaf blade ovate to broadly lanceolate ........................................................................................ 110. B. ornithophylla 

11b. Leaf blade broadly ovate to suborbicular. 

12a. Leaf blade often very shallowly angularly lobed, often with pale green to white spots at 

junction between veins and brownish spots in intercostal areas; tertiary veins randomly 

reticulate, divergence angle 40°–60° ............................................................................................. 93. B. luzhaiensis 

12b. Leaf blade unlobed, spot not as above; tertiary veins ± percurrent, divergence angle 60°–120°. 

13a. Tertiary veins oppositely percurrent, divergence angle 90°–120°. 

14a. Leaf blade 3.5–15 × 3–13 cm, adaxially with whitish spots along major veins .............. 142. B. semiparietalis 

14b. Leaf blade 12–32 × 11–27 cm, adaxially not as above. 

15a. Leaf blade apically acute to shortly acuminate, adaxially with a broad whitish ring ........ 80. B. lanternaria 

15b. Leaf blade apically obtuse to rounded, adaxially without spot or with white spot 

between major veins .............................................................................................................. 31. B. crystallina 

13b. Tertiary veins obliquely alternately percurrent, divergence angle 60°–80°. 

16a. Leaf petiole appressed-pilose, blade subleathery; ovary obovoid .................................. 125. B. pseudoleprosa 

16b. Leaf petiole pilose or hirsute-villous, blade herbaceous; ovary ovoid to ellipsoid. 

17a. Leaf blade 5–9 × 6–8 cm, apex obtuse to rounded ................................................ 10. B. austroguangxiensis 

17b. Leaf blade larger, longer than 10 cm, apex acuminate or shortly so. 

18a. Leaf blade green throughout; stipules apically obtuse to emarginate ................. 123. B. pseudodaxinensis 

18b. Leaf blade adaxially with a broad whitish ring; stipules apically acute ............................ 36. B. daxinensis 

10b. Leaf blade densely to moderately hairy. 

19a. Rhizomes slender, long creeping or vinelike, internodes elongate, usually longer than 1 cm. 

20a. Capsule distinctly curved ............................................................................................................... 33. B. curvicarpa 

20b. Capsule not distinctly curved. 

21a. Stipules basally obliquely auriculate .......................................................................................... 9. B. auritistipula 

21b. Stipules basally not auriculate. 

22a. Ovary and capsule beaked at summit ............................................................................... 134. B. rhynchocarpa 

22b. Ovary and capsule not beaked at summit. 

23a. Leaf blade moderately setulose ............................................................................................ 37. B. debaoensis 

23b. Leaf blade densely pilose .......................................................................................................... 122. B. porteri 

19b. Rhizomes stout, internodes usually shorter than 1 cm. 

24a. Leaf tertiary veins randomly reticulate, never percurrent, thin, divergence angle 40°–60°. 

25a. Leaf blade shallowly angularly lobed, adaxially sparsely tomentose ........................................ 93. B. luzhaiensis 

25b. Leaf blade unlobed, adaxially tomentose. 

26a. Leaf blade ovate, 10–25 × 5–18 cm, adaxially with a broad white band on midvein ....... 92. B. luochengensis 

26b. Leaf blade broadly ovate to suborbicular, 3–9 × 2–8 cm, adaxially without a broad 

white band ..................................................................................................................................... 122. B. porteri 

24b. Leaf tertiary veins ± percurrent, abaxially prominent, divergence angle 60°–100°. 

27a. Leaf blade adaxially villous-hirsute, hairs reddish, 3–5 mm; capsule 1.5–2.1 cm ................. 59. B. guangxiensis 

27b. Leaf blade with other trichome types, hairs shorter than 2.5 mm; capsule to 1.2 cm. 

28a. Androecium actinomorphic. 

29a. Peduncle glandular hispid; flowers usually greenish or yellowish green .............................. 49. B. filiformis 

29b. Peduncle glabrous or pilose. 

30a. Leaf blade slightly rugose or nearly flat, sparsely setulose; flowers reddish to white ........... 13. B. biflora 

30b. Leaf blade distinctly rugose, densely pilose; flowers greenish yellow with reddish 

base ...................................................................................................................................... 90. B. longistyla 

28b. Androecium zygomorphic. 

31a. Peduncle densely hirsute-villous. 

32a. Leaf blade surface flat or slightly rugose, lacking spots, hairs sparser .................................. 26. B. cirrosa 

32b. Leaf blade surface rugose, with a broad white or pale ring, hairs denser ......................... 118. B. picturata 

31b. Peduncle pilose or glabrous. 

33a. Ovary glandular pilose, abaxial wing obliquely triangular ........................................... 107. B. obliquifolia 

33b. Ovary not glandular pilose, abaxial wing usually lunate or oblong (sometimes 

obliquely triangular in B. retinervia). 

34a. Leaf blade slightly rugose or nearly flat.

160 


35a. Fruit or ovary sparsely hairy, wings unequal .................................................................. 71. B. huangii 

35b. Fruit or ovary glabrous, wings equal or subequal .................................................... 120. B. platycarpa 

34b. Leaf blade distinctly rugose. 

36a. Leaf blade with a white ring ............................................................................................ 103. B. morsei 

36b. Leaf blade often with a white band along major veins. 

37a. Capsule crisped-villous, broadly ovoid, apex with short beak ............................... 132. B. retinervia 

37b. Capsule glabrous or near so, ellipsoid, apex without short beak ................... 106. B. ningmingensis 

Key 9 

1a. Leaf blade glabrous on both sides. 

2a. Leaf blade shallowly lobed (divided to ca. 1/3 of leaf length) ................................................................................ 39. B. dielsiana 


3a. Leaf blade symmetric or nearly so, cauline leaves several ............................................................................. 126. B. psilophylla 

3b. Leaf blade distinctly asymmetric, cauline leaves 0 or 1(or 2). 

4a. Rhizomes 2–3 cm in diam.; leaf blade 23–26 × 32–34 cm .................................................................. 98. B. megalophyllaria 

4b. Rhizomes to 1(–2) cm in diam.; leaf blade to 16 cm. 

5a. Leaf blade basally rounded .................................................................................................................................. 70. B. howii 

5b. Leaf blade basally cordate. 

6a. Styles 3; ovary 3-loculed; placentation axile or parietal. 

7a. Leaf blade green, broadly ovate to orbicular; wings of capsule oblate to transversely oblong; 

ovary 3-loculed; placentae axile .................................................................................................................. 48. B. fenicis 

7b. Leaf blade purplish with pale green spots adaxially, narrowly ovate to ovate; abaxial wing of 

capsule broadly elliptic to ligulate; ovary 1-loculed; placentae parietal ..................................... 124. B. pseudodryadis 

6b. Styles 2; ovary 2-loculed; placentation axile. 

8a. Petiole and leaf blade reddish when young, green when mature; bract to 5 cm .................................. 150. B. subhowii 

8b. Petiole red, leaf blade adaxially green, abaxially reddish purple on veins; bract much smaller. 

9a. Leaf blade 9–16(–18) × 5–6(–10) cm; abaxial wing of capsule broadly elliptic to orbicular ........... 14. B. bouffordii 

9b. Leaf blade 3–9 × 2–6 cm; abaxial wing of capsule ligulate ................................................................ 138. B. rubinea 

1b. Leaf blade pubescent. 

10a. Leaf blade broadly lanceolate to narrowly ovate ............................................................................................. 22. B. chishuiensis 

10b. Leaf blade ovate, broadly ovate, orbicular or nearly so. 

11a. Leaf blade shallowly lobed (divided to ca. 1/3 of leaf length). 

12a. Rhizome with elongate internodes ......................................................................................................... 131. B. repenticaulis 

12b. Rhizome with congested internodes. 

13a. Leaf blade adaxially subglabrous or sparsely hispidulous; petiole not sulcate ......................................... 46. B. emeiensis 

13b. Leaf blade adaxially sparsely pubescent when young; petiole sulcate ................................................. 96. B. manhaoensis 


14a. Leaf blade adaxially long setose. 

15a. Ovary glabrous, 2-loculed; leaf blade variegated, setae pale color .................................................................... 133. B. rex 

15b. Ovary hairy, 2- or 3-loculed; leaf blade not variegated; setae red. 

16a. Plant prostrate with slender stems, internodes of stem elongate ............................................................ 139. B. ruboides 

16b. Plant rhizomatous, internodes congested. 

17a. Ovary 3-loculed; styles 3; leaf blade unlobed ...................................................................................... 143. B. setifolia 

17b. Ovary 2-loculed; styles 2; leaf blade very shallowly lobed ............................................................... 82. B. limprichtii 

14b. Leaf blade not long setose. 

18a. Ovary and tepals glabrous. 

19a. Styles 3; ovary 3-loculed. 

20a. Leaf blade adaxially glabrous or pilose, abaxially hispidulous, apex acute ................................ 137. B. rotundilimba 

20b. Leaf blade adaxially hirsute, abaxially densely hirsute, apex acuminate ................................ 148. B. sinovietnamica 


21a. Leaf blade not spotted, green on both surfaces; flower buds subglobose. 

22a. Leaf blade adaxially sparsely pubescent when young; tepals white .......................................... 96. B. manhaoensis 

22b. Leaf blade adaxially glabrous; tepals orange-red ................................................................................. 30. B. crocea 

21b. Leaf blade adaxially spotted, abaxially reddish; flower buds ovoid. 

23a. Leaf blade with a horseshoe-shaped band; tepals pinkish or pink ........................................................... 133. B. rex 

23b. Leaf blade with pale green spots on intercostal areas; tepals yellow .............................................. 168. B. xanthina 

18b. Ovary and outer tepals abaxially hairy. 

24a. Leaf blade with a white band in intercostal areas and/or rusty-red on veins, adaxially densely 

hairy; capsule unequally 3-winged; styles 3; ovary 2-loculed ............................................................ 162. B. versicolor


24b. Not as above. 

25a. Leaf blade rugose, with or without pale green spots, adaxially sparsely hairy; capsule 

subequally 3-winged; styles 3; ovary 3-loculed .......................................................................... 61. B. gulinqingensis 

25b. Leaf blade not as above. 

26a. Styles 3; ovary 3-loculed. 

27a. Tepals and ovary shortly pilose; leaf blade 5.5–11 × 4.8–8.5 cm ..................................... 148. B. sinovietnamica 

27b. Tepals and ovary villous; leaf blade 1.8–8 × 1.5–6.2 cm ....................................................... 108. B. obsolescens 


28a. Leaf puberulous on abaxial surface and on petiole. 

29a. Rhizomes slender, to 1 cm in diam., internodes elongated, 1–2(–3) cm ........................ 35. B. daweishanensis 

29b. Rhizomes 2–3 cm in diam., internodes congested ................................................................ 86. B. longanensis 

28b. Leaf not puberulous. 

30a. Leaf blade spotted. 

31a. Leaf blade adaxially glaucous with metallic shine, unlobed ..................................................... 135. B. rockii 

31b. Leaf blade adaxially pale greenish to whitish along main veins against reddish 

background color, very shallowly lobed ................................................................................. 8. B. augustinei 

30b. Leaf blade green or sometimes reddish, not spotted. 

32a. Leaf blade with fine, long hairs to 6 mm ................................................................................ 44. B. duclouxii 

32b. Leaf blade with short hairs to 1 mm. 

33a. Leaf blade 3.5–5 cm ................................................................................................... 56. B. gagnepainiana 

33b. Leaf blade usually larger. 

34a. Leaves very shallowly lobed; cauline leaves 1 or 2 ...................................................... 149. B. smithiana 

34b. Leaves unlobed; cauline leaves absent ...................................................................... 15. B. brevisetulosa 

1. Begonia acetosella Craib, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1912: 

153. 1912. 

无翅秋海棠 wu chi qiu hai tang 

Herbs, dioecious, erect, to 2 m tall. Rhizomes short, stout. 

Stems branching twice or more. Leaves cauline; stipules deciduous, 

lanceolate, 1–1.3 × ca. 3.5 mm; petiole 2.7(–10) cm, glabrous 

or pubescent; blade oblong, ovate-lanceolate, or oblonglanceolate, 

asymmetric, 10–14(–27) × 3–4.5(–8) cm, glabrous, 

subglabrous, or pubescent, venation palmate-pinnate, 5- to 7- 

veined, base obliquely cordate, margin undivided, shallowly and 

remotely serrate, apex acuminate or acute. Inflorescences much 

reduced; bracts ovate-lanceolate, 1–1.5 cm, apex acuminate. 

Staminate flowers: pedicel ca. 1.2 cm; tepals 4, white or pinkish, 

glabrous, outer 2 obovate to oblate, ca. 1.2 × 1 cm, inner 2 

lanceolate to oblong, 13–15 × ca. 7 mm; stamens numerous; 

filaments free; anthers oblong. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 5–10 

mm; ovary obovoid, glabrous, (3 or)4-loculed; placentae axile, 

bilamellate; tepals 4, white or pinkish, glabrous, outer 2 oblateorbicular, 

ca. 1 × 1 cm, inner 2 oblong, ca. 10 × 7 mm; styles (3 

or)4, fused at base; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Fruit berrylike, 

pendulous, (3 or)4-horned. Fl. Apr–May, fr. May. 2n = 20, 22*. 

Moist shaded environments in evergreen broad-leaved forests; 

500–1800 m. SE Xizang, S Yunnan [Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam]. 

1a. Blade and petiole glabrous or nearly so 

................................................................. 1a. var. acetosella 

1b. Blade and petiole pubescent .................... 1b. var. hirtifolia 

1a. Begonia acetosella var. acetosella 

无翅秋海棠 ( 原变种 ) wu chi qiu hai tang (yuan bian zhong) 

Begonia tetragona Irmscher. 

Blade and petiole glabrous or nearly so. 

Moist shaded environments in evergreen broad-leaved forests; 

500–1800 m. SE Xizang (Mêdog), S Yunnan [Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, 

Vietnam]. 

1b. Begonia acetosella var. hirtifolia Irmscher, Mitt. Inst. Allg. 

Bot. Hamburg 10: 515. 1939. 

粗毛无翅秋海棠 cu mao wu chi qiu hai tang 

Blade and petiole pubescent. 

Forests; ca. 1500 m. Yunnan (Simao) [Myanmar]. 

2. Begonia acutitepala K. Y. Guan & D. K. Tian, Acta Bot. 

Yunnan. 22: 129. 2000. 

尖被秋海棠 jian bei qiu hai tang 

Herbs, 10–30 cm tall, tuberous. Leaves 1 or 2(or 3), basal; 

stipules not seen; petiole 20–30 cm; blade green on both surfaces, 

broadly cordate, 14–20 × 10–15 cm, papery, base deeply 

cordate, margin serrulate, apex acuminate. Inflorescence 10– 

30 cm, hirsute, villous, tomentose; flowers pink; bracts green, 

broadly ovate, 1–1.2 cm, margin entire. Staminate flowers: pedicel 

1.5–6 cm; tepals 4, apex acute, outer 2 ovate-lanceolate, 

inner 2 obovate or spatulate, ca. 1.2 × 0.6 cm, apex obtuse; stamens 

numerous; anthers obovoid-globose, apex concave. Pistillate 

flowers: pedicel ca. 3 cm; tepals 5, unequal, ovate-lanceolate 

to obovate, abaxially tomentose, apex acute or obtuse; 

ovary sparsely tomentose, 3-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; 

styles 3; stigmas spiraled. Capsule ellipsoid, unequally 3- 

winged; abaxial wing triangular, ca. 1 cm, apex truncate; lateral 

wings smaller, lunate. Fl. Sep–Nov. 

● Woods; ca. 1600 m. Yunnan (Maguan). 

This species is similar to Begonia labordei but differs by its acute 

tepals and non-racemose inflorescence. 

3. Begonia algaia L. B. Smith & Wasshausen, Phytologia 52: 

441. 1983. 

美丽秋海棠 mei li qiu hai tang

162 


Begonia calophylla Irmscher, Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot. Hamburg 

6: 351. 1927, not Gilg ex Engler (1921). 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes elongate, 5–8 mm in diam. 

Stems short. Leaves mostly basal; stipules caducous; petiole 

13–26 cm, rusty villous; blade broadly ovate to oblong, slightly 

asymmetric, 10–20 × 9–19(–21) cm, sparsely pubescent, venation 

palmate, 6(–8)-veined, base slightly obliquely cordate, 

margin remotely serrate, distinctly lobed, divided to ca. 1/2 of 

leaf length; lobes caudate-acuminate at apex; lobules present. 

Inflorescences 17–27 cm tall, sparsely rusty villous; bracts oblong-ovate, 

4–5 mm, villous, apex acute. Staminate flowers: 

pedicel 4–4.5 cm; tepals 4, pinkish, outer 2 broadly ovate, 2–2.7 

cm, outside villous, inner 2 obovate-oblong, 2–2.6 × ca. 1 mm; 

stamens numerous; filaments fused at base; anthers oval. Pistillate 

flowers: pedicel 4–5 cm; ovary oblong, ca. 10 × 5 mm, glabrous; 

placentae axile, bilamellate; tepals 5, unequal, obovate to 

broadly ovate, 2–2.5 × 0.7–2.2 cm, outside villous; styles 2, 

fused to halfway; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule nodding, ca. 

1.2 × 9 mm, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing larger, triangular. 

Fl. Jul–Aug. 

● Forests or scrubby vegetation, moist environments by streams; 

300–800 m. Jiangxi. 

Very similar to Begonia pedatifida, this species can only be distinguished 

by its shallowly divided leaves and cordate leaf bases. 

4. Begonia alveolata T. T. Yu, Bull. Fan Mem. Inst. Biol., n.s., 

1: 121. 1948. 

点叶秋海棠 dian ye qiu hai tang 

Begonia pingbienensis C. Y. Wu. 

Herbs, erect on upper part, ascending at base. Rhizome absent. 

Stems slender. Leaves cauline, asymmetric; stipules ovatelanceolate, 

ca. 5 mm, membranous, pilose, apex acute; petiole 

3–6 mm, densely villous; blade ovate, asymmetric, 4–6.5 × 3–5 

cm, thin when dried, abaxially densely papillose, subglabrous 

or sparsely pubescent on veins, villous at junction between 

blade and petiole, adaxially sparsely hirsute, venation palmatepinnate, 

6-veined, base obliquely cordate, margin irregularly 

denticulate, apex acuminate. Inflorescences subglabrous; bracts 

caducous, apex acuminate. Staminate flowers: tepals 4, pinkish, 

glabrous, outer 2 elliptic or obovate, ca. 12 × 6 mm, inner 2 

elliptic, ca. 6 × 2 mm; stamens numerous; filaments free. Pistillate 

flowers: tepals 5, subequal, 8–10 × 4–6 mm, glabrous; 

ovary 3-loculed, glabrous; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 3, 

free; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsules pendulous, unequally 3- 

winged; abaxial wing larger, triangular. Fl. Nov. 

Forests, moist environments; 1000–1500 m. Yunnan (Pingbian) 

[Vietnam]. 

This species resembles Begonia morifolia but differs by its glabrous 

flowers and very shallowly lobed leaves. 

5. Begonia arboreta Y. M. Shui, Acta Bot. Yunnan. 24: 307. 

2002. 

树生秋海棠 shu sheng qiu hai tang 

Herbs, deciduous, epiphytic. Tubers subglobose, ca. 1 cm 

in diam. Leaves solitary; stipules caducous, basal, glabrous; 

petiole 12–14 cm; blade asymmetric, broadly ovate, 14–15 × 

14–17 cm, papery, venation palmate, 3–5-veined, base obliquely 

cordate, margin irregularly repand-denticulate, distinctly 

lobed, divided to 3/5 of leaf length; lobes lanceolate, apex acuminate. 

Inflorescences 10–12 cm tall, terminal, glabrous; bracts 

caducous, ovate, ca. 0.6 × 0.2 mm. Staminate flowers not seen. 

Pistillate flowers: pedicel 3–3.3 cm; tepals not seen; ovary glabrous, 

3-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 3; stigmas 

2-cleft. Capsule pendulous, 2–2.4 × 1.2–1.4 cm, subequally 3- 

winged; abaxial wing slightly larger, apex subtruncate. 

● Evergreen broad-leaved forests, on tree trunks; 1700–1900 m. 

Yunnan (Lüchun). 

The description of this epiphytic species is based on a single 

specimen collected from Lüchun. Begonia arboreta may represent a 

diminished form of B. garrettii Craib from Thailand and perhaps does 

not warrant the specific status. 

6. Begonia asperifolia Irmscher, Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot. Hamburg 

6: 359. 1927. 

糙叶秋海棠 cao ye qiu hai tang 

Herbs, deciduous. Tubers subglobose, 1.3–2 cm in diam. 

Leaves 1(or 2), basal, occasionally with short stem; stipules caducous; 

petiole (8–)15–23(–28) cm, subglabrous or tomentose; 

blade broadly ovate, asymmetric, 15–20(–30) × 11–18(–20) cm, 

abaxially pubescent, more densely so on veins, or rusty tomentose, 

adaxially sparsely pubescent or densely strigose, venation 

palmate, 6–8-veined, base slightly oblique, cordate, margin irregularly 

serrulate, undivided or very shallowly lobed. Inflorescences 

terminal, racemose at base, 12–25 cm tall, subglabrous; 

bracts oblong-ovate to ovate, 5–6 × 1–1.2 cm, membranous, 

apex obtuse. Staminate flowers: pedicel 1–1.5(–2.5) cm; tepals 

4, pink, glabrous, outer 2 suborbicular, 1.1–1.3 × 1–1.2 cm, 

inner 2 oblong to ovate-oblong, 8–10 × 5–7 mm; stamens numerous; 

filaments free; anthers oblong. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 

2–2.5 cm; tepals 5, pink, unequal, obovate to suborbicular, 

5–11 × 3–9 mm, glabrous; ovary elliptic, ca. 7 × 5 mm, glabrous, 

3-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 3, free; stigmas 

U-shaped, slightly spiraled. Capsule pendulous, oblong to 

obovoid-oblong, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing triangular or 

obliquely so, 1.2–1.4(–1.9) cm; lateral wings 3–4 mm, rarely 

absent or reduced to very narrow lamellae. Fl. Aug–Oct, fr. 

Sep–Nov. 

● Broad-leaved forests, mixed broad-leaved and coniferous forests, 

along streams, rocky slopes; (1500–)1800–3400 m. SE Xizang, W 

Yunnan. 

Similar to Begonia labordei, this species differs by its large, somewhat 

rugulose leaves and 5-tepaled pistillate flowers (in B. labordei, the 

pistillate flowers have 3(or 4) tepals). Some specimens of intermediate 

size and lacking pistillate flowers are difficult to identify. 

1a. Leaf blade abaxially pubescent, adaxially 

sparsely pubescent; flowers much more 

than 1 cm in diam. ................................ 6a. var. asperifolia 

1b. Leaf blade abaxially rusty tomentose, 

adaxially densely strigose; flowers ca. 

1 cm in diam. 

2a. Capsule with 3 conspicuous unequal 

wings ............................................. 6b. var. tomentosa


2b. Capsule with large abaxial wing, 

lateral wings absent or reduced 

to very narrow lamellae .................... 6c. var. unialata 

6a. Begonia asperifolia var. asperifolia 

糙叶秋海棠 ( 原变种 ) cao ye qiu hai tang (yuan bian zhong) 

Leaf blade abaxially pubescent, adaxially sparsely pubescent. 

Flowers much more than 1 cm in diam. Capsule with 3 

conspicuous unequal wings. Fl. Aug–Oct, fr. Oct. 

● Broad-leaved forests, mixed broad-leaved and coniferous forests, 

along streams, rocky slopes; (1500–)2000–3400 m. SE Xizang 

(Bomi, Mêdog, Zayü), NW Yunnan. 

6b. Begonia asperifolia var. tomentosa T. T. Yu, Bull. Fan 

Mem. Inst. Biol., n.s., 1: 118. 1948. 

俅江秋海棠 qiu jiang qiu hai tang 

Leaf blade abaxially rusty tomentose, adaxially densely 

strigose. Flowers ca. 1 cm in diam. Capsule with 3 conspicuous 

unequal wings. Fl. Aug, fr. Sep. 

● Forest understories; ca. 1800 m. NW Yunnan (Dulong Jiang). 

6c. Begonia asperifolia var. unialata T. C. Ku, var. nov. 

窄檐糙叶秋海棠 zhai yan cao ye qiu hai tang 

Type: China. Yunnan: Yangbi Xian, in mixed forests, 1 

Nov 1929, R. C. Ching 2541 (holotype, PE). 

A var. asperifolia capsulae ala abaxiali magna oblique triangulari 

1.2–1.9 cm longa, ejus alis lateralibus absentibus vel 

in lamellas angustissmas redactis differt. 

Leaf blade abaxially pubescent, adaxially sparsely pubescent. 

Flowers not seen. Capsule 3-winged; abaxial wing 

obliquely triangular, 1.2–1.9 cm; lateral wings absent or reduced 

to very narrow lamellae. Fr. Oct–Nov. 

● Mixed forests. W Yunnan (Yangbi). 

7. Begonia asteropyrifolia Y. M. Shui & W. H. Chen, Acta 

Bot. Yunnan. 27: 356. 2005. 

星果草叶秋海棠 xing guo cao ye qiu hai tang 

Herbs rhizomatous. Rhizomes 3–6 cm, ca. 1 cm in diam., 

villous; internodes 0.7–1.1 cm. Leaves all basal; stipules triangularor 

ovate-triangular; petiole 3–5 cm, hirsute-villous; blade 

ovate with 2- or 3-angular lobes, 6.5–8.5 × 4–5 cm, peltate, 

thickly papery, rugose, abaxially with dense curly hairs, adaxially 

densely tuberculate-pilose, margin serrulate and ciliate, apex 

acuminate. Inflorescences axillary, flowers 7–13 in a dichasial 

cyme; peduncle 5–6 cm, hirsute-villous; bracts lanceolate, 7–9 

× 2–3.5 mm, glabrous, apex acute. Staminate flowers: pedicel 

1.1–1.3 cm, hirsute-villous; tepals 2 or 4, outer 2 pink, suborbicular, 

8–9 mm in diam., abaxially strigose-pilose, inner 2 pinkish 

or white, oblong, 9–10 × ca. 4 mm, glabrous; androecium 

zygomorphic; stamens numerous; filaments 0.9–1 mm, fused 

below into a short column; anthers obovoid. Pistillate flowers 

unknown. Capsule broadly ovoid, 8–9 × 10–12 mm, pilose, 1- 

loculed with parietal placentation; styles 3, 1–1.2 mm, persistent; 

wings 3, unequal, triangular, pilose, apex orbicular. Fl. 

Feb–Sep. 

● Limestone hills. 300–400 m. Guangxi (Donglan). 

8. Begonia augustinei Hemsley, Gard. Chron., ser. 3, 2: 286. 

1900. 

歪叶秋海棠 wai ye qiu hai tang 

Begonia menglianensis Y. Y. Qian. 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes elongate. Leaves basal; 

stipules ovate, 7–8 × ca. 5 mm, membranous, apex acute; petiole 

(6–)15–22 cm, densely villous; blade abaxially brownish 

purple, adaxially pale greenish to whitish along main veins 

against reddish background color, very shallowly lobed, asymmetric, 

ovate to broadly ovate, 7–14 × 5–11 cm, abaxially villous 

on veins, adaxially densely hirsute, venation palmate, 7- or 

8-veined, base cordate to deeply cordate, margin irregularly serrulate, 

very shallowly divided; lobes triangular, apex acute or 

acuminate. Inflorescences (6–)15–18 cm, pubescent or subglabrous; 

bracts oblong, ca. 10 × 4 mm, sparsely ciliate when 

young, apex acute. Staminate flowers: pedicel 1.6–3 cm; tepals 

4, pinkish, outer 2 oblong to ovate, 1.4–1.8 × ca. 0.9 cm, outside 

pilose, inner 2 elliptic, 10–13 × ca. 7 mm; stamens numerous; 

filaments free; anthers oblong; connective extended, acuminate. 

Pistillate flowers: tepals 5; ovary sparsely pilose, 2- 

loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 2; stigmas 2-cleft, 

spiraled. Capsule nodding, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing 

broadly falcate, 1.7–2.1 cm; lateral wings ca. 5 mm. Fl. Jun– 

Sep. 

● Scrubby vegetation, on rocks in shaded moist environments; 

1000–1500(–1800) m. S Yunnan. 

9. Begonia auritistipula Y. M. Shui & W. H. Chen, Acta Bot. 

Yunnan. 27: 357. 2005. 

耳托秋海棠 er tuo qiu hai tang 

Herbs vinelike. Rhizomes long creeping, zigzag, 30–50 

cm, 3–5 mm in diam., sparsely hirsute-villous; internodes 3–5 

cm. Leaves all basal; stipules broadly ovate, 9–11 mm, base 

obliquely auriculate, margin entire; petiole 9–12 cm, sparsely 

reflexed hirsute; blade ovate, 10–18 × 4–7 cm, papery, rugose, 

abaxially hirsute-pilose on veins, adaxially setulose, base 

obliquely deeply cordate, margin serrulate and ciliate, apex acuminate. 

Inflorescences axillary, flowers 8–13 in 2–4 times 

branched dichasial cyme; peduncle 5–9 cm, glabrous; bracts 

oblong or broadly obovate, 1.2–1.4 × 0.9–1.1 cm, glabrous, 

margin ciliate, apex rounded. Staminate flowers: pedicel ca. 1.5 

cm, glabrous; tepals 4, outer 2 pink, with red veins, suborbicular, 

1–1.2 cm in diam., abaxially sparsely hirsute, inner 2 

white or pinkish, elliptic, 9–10 × 3–3.5 mm, glabrous; androecium 

zygomorphic; stamens numerous; filaments nearly free, 

0.8–1 mm; anthers obovoid, ca. 1.3 × 0.7 mm, apex emarginate. 

Pistillate flowers: tepals 3, outer 2 with pink veins, suborbicular, 

0.8–1 cm in diam., abaxially strigose-hirsute; ovary 5–6 × 

4–4.5 mm, sparsely strigose-hirsute, 1-loculed with parietal placentation; 

styles 3, free, 1.8–2.3 mm; wings 3, unequal, apex 

truncate or rounded. Capsule unknown. Fl. May–Nov.

164 


● Originally cultivated at the Guangxi Botanical Garden of Medicinal 

Plants, without detailed accession information. 

The type was made from plants in cultivation at the Kunming 

Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in Yunnan. 

10. Begonia austroguangxiensis Y. M. Shui & W. H. Chen, 

Acta Bot. Yunnan. 27: 359. 2005. 

桂南秋海棠 gui nan qiu hai tang 

Herbs rhizomatous. Rhizomes 4–7 cm, 3–4 mm in diam.; 

internodes 2–3 mm, sparsely hirsute-villous. Leaves all basal; 

stipules triangular, 5–6 × 2–3 mm, margin entire; petiole 6–20 

cm, hirsute-villous; blade broadly ovate or suborbicular, 5–9 × 

6–8 cm, abaxially tomentose-pilose on major veins and sparsely 

so on minor veins, adaxially flat and very sparsely setulose, 

base obliquely deeply cordate, margin serrulate and ciliate, apex 

rounded or obtuse. Inflorescences axillary, flowers 5–12 in a 

dichasial cyme; peduncle 3–20 cm, pilose or subglabrous; bracts 

triangular, ovate or rounded, 2.5–5 × 2–3.5 mm, margin entire 

or serrulate and ciliate. Staminate flowers: tepals 4, outer 2 pinkish 

or white, suborbicular or broadly ovate, 8–17 mm in diam., 

abaxially pilose or glabrous, inner 2 white, obovate to oblanceolate, 

8–14 × 3–4 mm; stamens numerous; filaments nearly 

free, 1–1.5 mm; anthers obovoid, 1–1.3 mm, apex subemarginate. 

Pistillate flowers: tepals 3, outer 2 pinkish or white, suborbicular, 

6–9 mm in diam., inner 1 obovate, 4–7 × 2–3.5 mm; 

styles 3, free, 2–3 mm; ovary 1-loculed with parietal placentation. 

Capsule nodding, 8–9 × 10–12 mm, pilose or glabrous, 

apex with persistent styles; wings 3, unequal, lunate, larger one 

3–6 mm. Fl. May–Oct. 

● Limestone forests, on rocks in shaded environments; 200–600 

m. Guangxi (Longzhou). 

11. Begonia austrotaiwanensis Y. K. Chen & C. I Peng, J. 

Arnold Arbor. 71: 567. 1990. 

南台湾秋海棠 nan tai wan qiu hai tang 

Herbs, deciduous; rhizomes elongate, moniliform. Leaves 

basal; stipules triangular, 7–22 × 4–9 mm; petiole to 40 cm, glabrous; 

blade broadly ovate, asymmetric, 13–38 × 10–32 cm, 

venation palmate, 6–10-veined, base obliquely cordate, margin 

irregularly serrate, shallowly lobed, apex acuminate or apiculate. 

Inflorescences to 55 cm tall; peduncle to 42 cm; bracts 

caducous, in pairs, narrowly ovate to elliptic, 8–12 × 3.5–6.5 

mm, glabrous, margin dentate, apex acute. Flowers scented. 

Staminate flowers: tepals 4, pink or purplish, outer 2 suborbicular 

to orbicular, 1.3–3.5 × 0.9–3.2 cm, inner 2 lanceolate to 

narrowly obovate, 1–3.2 cm × 6–8 mm; stamens numerous; 

filaments free; anthers obovoid. Pistillate flowers: tepals (2 

or)3(or 4), outer 2 suborbicular or oblate-orbicular, 1.6–2.3 × 

1.4–3.7 cm, inner 1 oblanceolate or obovate, 1.2–2.3 × 0.7–2.3 

cm; ovary glabrous, 2-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate or 4- 

cleft; styles 2, free; stigma 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule nodding, 

unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing ligulate, 2.7–4.6 × 0.9–1.5 

cm; lateral wings smaller. 2n = 38*. 

● Rocky slopes in shaded moist environments; 200–1000 m. S 

Taiwan. 

12. Begonia baviensis Gagnepain, Bull. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat. 

25: 195. 1919. 

金平秋海棠 jin ping qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous, erect, ca. 50 cm tall or more. Rhizomes 

elongate, to 12 cm in diam. Stems 3–6 mm in diam., 

scabrous, densely rusty hirsute. Leaves basal and cauline; stipules 

caducous, triangular, 1.5–2 cm, brown villous; petiole 4– 

7(–11) cm, densely rusty villous; blade oblate-orbicular or suborbicular, 

asymmetric, 15–20 × 12–24 cm, both surfaces sparsely 

red hirsute, more densely so on veins, venation palmate, 6- or 

7-veined, base oblique, shallowly cordate, margin remotely denticulate, 

shallowly lobed to distinctly lobed; lobes 5–7, triangular-ovate 

to ovate-lanceolate, apex acuminate. Inflorescences 

densely brown villous; peduncle 10–15 cm; bracts triangular, 

5–6 × 4–5 mm, both surfaces and margin villous, apex 

caudate. Staminate flowers: tepals 4, outer 2 broadly ovate, ca. 

1.7 × 1–1.2 cm, outside rusty villous, inner 2 obcordate, ca. 2 × 

2 cm, glabrous; stamens numerous; anthers linear; connective 

extended, acute. Pistillate flowers: tepals 5, unequal, ovate, 1.2– 

2 cm, abaxially villous; ovary rusty villous, 2-loculed; placentae 

axile, bilamellate or 4-cleft; styles 2, free; stigmas 2-cleft, 

spiraled. Capsule nodding, 1.5–1.8 cm × 7–9 mm, rusty villous, 

unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing oblate-triangular, hirsute, 

apex obtuse; lateral wings lunate. Fl. Apr. 

Forests, shaded moist environments along streams; 400–500 m. 

Guangxi, Yunnan (Jinping) [Vietnam]. 

Begonia baviensis resembles B. purpureofolia but differs in having 

green leaves with stiff hairs. 

13. Begonia biflora T. C. Ku, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 35: 43. 1997. 

双花秋海棠 shuang hua qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes 3–10 mm in diam.; internodes 

3–6 mm. Leaves all basal; stipules generally persistent, 

ovate-triangular, 4–10 × 3–6 mm, abaxially subglabrous; petiole 

4–22 cm, hirsute-villous; blade adaxially without white 

bands or patches, obliquely broadly ovate, 8–25 × 7–23 cm, 

papery, abaxially pubescent, more densely so on veins, adaxially 

sparsely setulose or hispidulous, basally 5–7-veined, tertiary 

veins percurrent and reticulate, base deeply cordate, margin 

crenulate and irregularly denticulate, apex obtuse, sometimes 

rounded or acute. Inflorescences 4–13-flowered; peduncle 5– 

7.5 cm, glabrous or sparsely pilose; bracts caducous, oblong or 

ovate to broadly lanceolate, 2–3 × 1.2–2.5 mm. Staminate flowers: 

pedicel 8–15 mm; tepals 4, outer 2 pinkish or slightly yellowish 

green, broadly ovate or suborbicular, 4–11 × 5–9 mm, 

abaxially glabrous or sparsely pilose, inner 2 obovate or elliptic, 

6–9 × 3–5 mm, glabrous; stamens 24–30; filaments fused 

into a short column at base, anthers obovoid, 0.6–0.9 × 0.5– 

0.75 mm. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 7–14 mm; tepals 3, outer 2 

suborbicular, 6–9.5 × 6–8 mm; ovary glabrous or pilose, 1-loculed 

with parietal placentation; styles 3, free. Capsule nodding, 

6–9 mm, glabrous or pilose, unequally or subequally 3-winged; 

abaxial wing lunate, 2–4.5 mm; lateral wings smaller. Fl. Jan– 

May, fr. Feb–Jul. 

● Limestone rocks or on rocky walls, in moist rocky caves; 200– 

400 m. Yunnan (Malipo). 

Begonia biflora is similar to B. bonii Gagnepain, which is endemic 

to Vietnam, but the former species differs in having a much 

shorter peduncle and the stipules are not hirsute abaxially.


14. Begonia bouffordii C. I Peng, Bot. Bull. Acad. Sin. 46: 

255. 2005. 

九九峰秋海棠 jiu jiu feng qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous, to 25 cm tall. Rhizomes creeping. 

Stems absent or rather short, to 8(–15) cm. Leaves basal or 

sometimes cauline; stipules caducous, narrowly ovate to ovate, 

to 7 × 3.5 mm, glabrous, margin entire, apex acuminate; petiole 

to 16 cm, glabrous; blade abaxially reddish purple on veins, 

ovate, asymmetric, 9–16(–18) × 5–6(–10) cm, succulent, nearly 

glabrous, venation palmate, base obliquely obtuse, margin subentire, 

apex acuminate. Inflorescences to 25 cm; peduncle to 17 

cm; bracts caducous, narrowly ovate to ovate, to 8 mm, glabrous, 

margin entire, apex acuminate. Staminate flowers: tepals 

4(or 6), pale pink, outer 2 broadly orbicular to orbicular, 1.5– 

1.9 × 1.5–1.8 cm, inner 2(or 4) oblanceolate to narrowly obovate, 

10–17 × 6–9 mm; stamens 68–84; filaments free, 1.1–1.7 

mm; anthers narrowly obovoid, 0.9–1.5 mm. Pistillate flowers: 

tepals 5, pinkish, unequal to subequal, narrowly obovate to 

broadly obovate, glabrous, largest 1–2.3 × 1.1–2.3 cm, smallest 

8–19 × 4–16 mm; ovary glabrous, 2-loculed; placentae axile, 

bilamellate or 4-cleft; styles 2, fused at base; stigmas 2-cleft, 


broadly elliptic to orbicular, 1.8–2.5 cm; lateral wings smaller. 

2n = 38*. 

● Shaded rocky slopes; 300–400 m. Taiwan (Nantou). 

Similar to Begonia chitoensis, this species can be distinguished by 

its smaller stature (often acaulescent), reddish purple petiole, and 

glabrous, succulent leaf blade with reddish purple veins abaxially. 

15. Begonia brevisetulosa C. Y. Wu, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 33: 

265. 1995. 

短刺秋海棠 duan ci qiu hai tang 

Herbs. Rhizomes 5–8 mm in diam. Leaves basal; stipules 

membranous, caducous; petiole purple-red, 4.5–11 cm, densely 

brown villous; blade abaxially pale, adaxially yellow-green, 

oblong-ovate, asymmetric, 5.5–12 × 3.5–10.2 cm, abaxially 

sparsely shortly setose, adaxially densely hispidulous, venation 

palmate, 6(or 7)-veined, base slightly oblique, cordate, margin 

irregularly sharply serrulate, apex caudate-acuminate. Inflorescences 

10.2–12.5 cm tall, densely hirsute; bracts abaxially 

hairy. Staminate flowers: tepals 4, outer 2 broadly ovate, ca. 12 

× 8 mm, abaxially hirsute, inner 2 oblong, ca. 8 × 3 mm; stamens 

numerous; filaments free, ca. 1 mm; anthers oblong, ca. 

1 mm. Pistillate flowers unknown. Immature capsule nodding, 

narrowly obovoid, 1.5–1.8 cm, pilose, 2-loculed, placentae 

axile, bilamellate, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing ovate-lanceolate, 

ca. 1.5 × 1 cm, apex rounded; lateral wings smaller. 

● SW Sichuan (Muli). 

This species is known only from type gathering. It is similar to 

Begonia augustinei but differs by its yellow-green leaf blade with sharply 

serrulate margin. 

16. Begonia ×buimontana Y. Yamamoto, J. Soc. Trop. Agric. 

5: 353. 1933. 

武威秋海棠 wu wei qiu hai tang 

Begonia fenchihuensis S. S. Ying. 

Herbs, erect, 40–125 cm tall, rhizomatous. Rhizomes short, 

stout. Stems glabrous or sometimes pilose. Leaves cauline or 

rarely basal; stipules caducous, ovate to broadly ovate, to 2.3 × 

1.8 cm, glabrous, margin entire, apex acuminate; petiole 2–5 

cm, sparsely hirsute; blade asymmetric, ovate-lanceolate or 

ovate, 8–22 × 4–8 cm, densely scabrous-hirsute, venation palmate-pinnate, 

5–8-veined, base oblique, cordate, margin irregularly 

serrate, apex caudate-acuminate. Inflorescences glabrous; 

peduncle 5–7 mm; bracts caducous, narrowly ovate to ovate, ca. 

2.4 × 1.7 cm, glabrous, margin entire, apex mucronate to acuminate. 

Staminate flowers: tepals 4, pink, outer 2 obovate, 1.2– 

1.4 × 0.8–1.3 cm, abaxially hirsute, inner 2 oblanceolate to narrowly 

obovate, 6–13 × 4–6 mm; stamens numerous; filaments 

free. Pistillate flowers: tepals 5(or 6), pink, subequal to unequal, 

oblanceolate to orbicular, ca. 1.8 × 0.8 cm; ovary triangular, 

scabrous-hirsute, 2- or 3-loculed; placentae bilamellate; styles 2 

or 3; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule nodding, unequally 3- 

winged; abaxial wing triangular, 1.2–1.9 × 1.1–1.6 cm; lateral 

wings 4–6 mm. 2n = 30*. 

● Forests; 1000–1600 m. S Taiwan. 

This is a natural hybrid between Begonia palmata and B. taiwaniana 

(Peng & Chen, Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 78: 995–1001. 1991). 

17. Begonia cathayana Hemsley, Bot. Mag. 134: t. 8202. 1908. 

花叶秋海棠 hua ye qiu hai tang 

Herbs, erect, to 60 cm tall. Rhizomes poorly developed. 

Stems often branched, puberulous. Leaves cauline; stipules lanceolate, 

ca. 1 cm, abaxially villous, apex acuminate and cuspidate; 

petiole 3.5–9.8 cm, densely puberulous; blade abaxially 

pale green to red-purple, adaxially dark green with a red-purple 

V-shaped band, ovate to broadly ovate, asymmetric, 9–14 × 7– 

10.8 cm, densely puberulous, occasionally sparsely long hairy, 

venation palmate-pinnate, base oblique, cordate, margin denticulate, 

very shallowly lobed; lobes triangular, apex acute. Inflorescences 

puberulous; peduncle 5–6.1(–11) cm; bracts caducous, 

puberulous, apex acuminate. Staminate flowers: pedicel 

ca. 1.3 cm; tepals 4, pink or orangish, outer 2 broadly ovate, 

1.7–2 × ca. 1.2 cm, outside villous, inner 2 oblong to ovate, ca. 

1.4 × 5–7 mm; stamens numerous; filaments ca. 1 mm; anthers 

oblong-obovoid, ca. 1 mm. Pistillate flowers: pedicel ca. 1.7 

cm; tepals 5, pink or orangish, subequal, oblong to broadly 

ovate, abaxially villous; ovary pubescent, 2-loculed; placentae 

axile, bilamellate; styles 2, fused at base; stigmas 2-cleft, 

spiraled. Capsule nodding, obovoid-oblong, 1.8–2.1 cm, unequally 

3-winged; adaxial wing broadly ligulate or falcate, 1.2– 

1.5 × 1.2–1.8 cm, apex rounded; lateral wings smaller. Fl. Aug, 

fr. Sep. 2n = 20*. 

Scrubby vegetation or forests, in shaded environments; 800–1500 

m. S Guangxi, SE Yunnan [Vietnam]. 

Similar to Begonia palmata, this species differs by its short, stout 

rhizome, lack of leaves on the rhizome, erect stem, and very shallowly 

divided leaves. Either pink or orangish flowers were observed on plants 

of this species. 

18. Begonia cavaleriei H. Léveillé, Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni 

Veg. 7: 20. 1909. 

昌感秋海棠 chang gan qiu hai tang

166 


Begonia cavaleriei var. pinfaensis H. Léveillé; B. esquirolii 

H. Léveillé; B. nymphaeifolia T. T. Yu. 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes elongate, 5–15 mm in 

diam. Leaves basal; stipules caducous, broadly ovate to reniform, 

8–12 × 8–10 mm; petiole 7–25 cm, glabrous; blade peltate, 

nearly symmetric, ovate or broadly elliptic, 8–15(–22) × 

5–13(–19) cm, thickly papery, glabrous, venation palmate, base 

obtuse, margin slightly repand, apex acuminate to caudate. Inflorescences 

to 30 cm tall, glabrous; bracts reniform to fanshaped, 

8–15 × 12–16 mm, glabrous, apex emarginate; flowers 

fragrant. Staminate flowers: pedicel ca. 1 cm; tepals 4, white 

to pinkish, outer 2 broadly ovate to ovate, 8–20 × 9–15 mm, 

glabrous, inner 2 oblong, 1.2–4.1 × 4.4–7.1 mm; stamens 58– 

72; filaments free, 0.7–2 mm; anthers obovoid to oblong, 0.7– 

1.1 mm, apex rounded or slightly emarginate. Pistillate flowers: 

pedicel 2–3 cm; tepals 3, outer 2 broadly ovate or suborbicular, 

1.1–1.8 × 1.4–1.7 cm, glabrous, inner 1 oblong, 7.8–8.5 × ca. 4 

mm; ovary oblong, to 2 mm, glabrous, 3-loculed; placentae 

axile, bilamellate; styles 3, to 4.6 mm, fused at base; stigmas 2- 

cleft, spiraled. Capsule nodding, oblong, to 2.9 mm, unequally 

3-winged; adaxial wing larger, lunate, 7–8 mm; lateral wings 

smaller. Fl. May–Jul, fr. Jul. 2n = 30*. 

Forests, on limestone rocks; 700–1300(–1800) m. Guangxi, Guizhou, 

Yunnan [Vietnam]. 

19. Begonia cehengensis T. C. Ku, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 33: 254. 

1995. 

册亨秋海棠 ce heng qiu hai tang 

Herbs, erect. Tubers globose, 6–8 mm in diam. Stems 10– 

16(–20) cm tall, subglabrous. Leaves mostly cauline; stipules 

caducous, membranous; petiole 4–8 cm, subglabrous; blade 

brownish on veins, broadly ovate or suborbicular, asymmetric, 

7–8 × ca. 6 cm, papery, very thin when dried, subglabrous or 

sparsely hispidulous, venation palmate, base slightly oblique, 

rounded, margin shallowly crenate, apex acute. Inflorescences 

2–4-flowered, glabrous; peduncle 3–5 cm; bracts caducous, 

lanceolate, membranous. Staminate flowers: pedicel 4–10 mm; 

tepals 2, white, depressed-ovate, ca. 8 × 10 mm; stamens numerous; 

filaments ca. 1 mm, free; anthers obovoid, ca. 1 mm. 

Pistillate flowers: tepals 2, white, unequal, one depressed-ovate, 

ca. 8 × 10 mm, other one broadly ovate, ca. 8 × 6 mm; ovary 

obovoid, glabrous, 3-loculed, apex with beak ca. 3 mm; placentae 

axile, bilamellate; style 3, free; stigmas U-shaped. Capsule 

pendulous, obovoid, 5–7 mm, subequally 3-winged; wings 

oblate-triangular, ca. 5 mm. Fl. Aug, fr. Sep. 

● 700–800 m. Guizhou (Ceheng). 

This species is known only from the type gathering. 

20. Begonia ceratocarpa S. H. Huang & Y. M. Shui, Acta Bot. 

Yunnan. 21: 13. 1999. 

角果秋海棠 jiao guo qiu hai tang 

Herbs, acaulescent, rhizomatous. Rhizomes 5–15 mm in 

diam. Leaves all basal; stipules ovate-oblong, 1.8–2.5 × 0.9–1.1 

cm, margin subentire, ciliate, apex acuminate; petiole to 30 cm, 

densely appressed pubescent; blade ovate-oblong, asymmetric, 

14–23 × 7–12 cm, abaxially villous, adaxially glabrous, venation 

palmate-pinnate, base oblique, cordate, margin slightly repand 

and slightly crenate, undivided or very shallowly divided 

into 2 or 3 lobes, apex acuminate. Inflorescences axillary, racemose 

at base, to 10(–20) cm tall, glabrous or remotely pubescent; 

peduncle 5–6 cm; bracts lanceolate, 7–8 × 2–3 mm, abaxially 

pilose, apex acuminate. Staminate flowers: pedicel 7–12 

mm, pilose; tepals 4, pink, glabrous or minutely appressed pubescent, 

outer 2 broadly ovate, 10–17 × 8–12 mm, inner 2 obovate-lanceolate, 

ca. 12 × 4–5 mm; stamens 17 or 18; filaments 

2–3.4 mm, free; anthers obovoid-oblong, 1.6–2 mm, apex obtuse. 

Pistillate flowers: pedicel 5–7 mm; tepals 5, pink, glabrous 

or minutely appressed pubescent, unequal, largest broadly obovate, 

9–15 × 7–10 mm, smallest oblong, 5–12 × 3–6 mm; ovary 

minutely appressed pubescent, 3-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; 

styles 3, fused to halfway; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. 

Fruit berrylike, rhomboid, indehiscent, 3-horned. 2n = 20*. 

Broad-leaved forests by streams; 300–400 m. Yunnan (Hekou) 

[Vietnam]. 

This species is similar to Begonia balansana Gagnepain, which is 

endemic to N Vietnam, but differs in that the plants are monoecious and 

the ovary is 3-loculed. 

21. Begonia chingii Irmscher, Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot. Hamburg 

10: 519. 1939. 

凤山秋海棠 feng shan qiu hai tang 

Herbs, deciduous. Tubers 3–15 mm in diam. Leaves 1(–3), 

basal or on very short stem; stipules triangular-ovate, 3.9–1.2 

cm, margin ciliate, apex cuspidate; petiole 6.8–13 cm, pubescent; 

blade ovate to broadly ovate, nearly symmetric, 7–14 × 5– 

9 cm, very thin when dried, villous, venation palmate-pinnate, 

base cordate, margin serrulate, apex acute or acuminate. Inflorescence 

terminal, cymose, 6–20 cm; bracts oblong, 3.4–7.5 × 

1.5–2.5 mm, margin ciliate. Staminate flowers: pedicel 6.5–34 

mm; tepals 4, outer 2 ovate, 9.5–15.7 × 7.5–14 mm, abaxially 

sparsely red pubescent, inner 2 oblong, 6.1–13.1 × 1.9–7.1 mm, 

glabrous; stamens 10–40; filaments 0.8–2.3 mm, fused at base; 

anthers oval, 0.5–1 mm. Pistillate flowers: tepals 3, outer 2 

broadly ovate, 6.2–9.3 × 5–8.6 mm, abaxially red hairy, inner 1 

oval, 5.7–7.5 × 3.1–4.7 mm; ovary oval, ca. 3.7 × 2.5 mm, 

hairy, 3-loculed; placentae axile, undivided; styles 3, 2.6–4.5 

mm, fused at base; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsules pendulous; 

unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing triangular, 4–13 mm; 

lateral wings smaller. 

● Limestone hills or caves; 200–800 m. Guangxi. 

This species resembles Begonia fimbristipula but differs by its 

pubescent tepals and undivided placentae. 

22. Begonia chishuiensis T. C. Ku, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 33: 267. 

1995. 

赤水秋海棠 chi shui qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes 4–6 mm in diam. Leaves 

basal; stipules membranous, caducous; petiole 6–9 cm, densely 

brown hirsute; blade narrowly ovate to broadly lanceolate, 

slightly asymmetric, 4.5–10 × 3–5 cm, abaxially hirsute, adaxially 

hispidulous and hirsute, venation palmate-pinnate, 5- or 6- 

veined, base shallowly cordate, margin minutely denticulate, 

apex caudate-acuminate. Inflorescences 9–15 cm tall, 2–4-flow-


ered, glabrous; bracts caducous. Staminate flowers: pedicel 1– 

1.3 cm; tepals 2 or 3, broadly ovate, ca. 10 × 9 mm; stamens 

numerous; filaments free, ca. 1 mm; anthers oblong, ca. 1 mm. 

Pistillate flowers: pedicel 1–1.3 cm; tepals 2 or 3, oblong-obovate, 

ca. 1.6 × 1 cm; ovary ovoid, glabrous or subglabrous, 2- 

loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 2, stigmas 2-cleft, 

spiraled. Capsule nodding, oblong, ca. 9 mm, unequally 3- 

winged; abaxial wing broadly falcate, ca. 1.3 × 0.8 cm, apex 

rounded; lateral wings smaller, lunate. Fl. Sep. 

● On moist rocks. Guizhou (Chishui). 

This species is known only from the type gathering. 

23. Begonia chitoensis T. S. Liu & M. J. Lai, Fl. Taiwan 3: 793. 

1977. 

溪头秋海棠 xi tou qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes creeping, to 2 cm in diam. 

Stems 40–95 cm tall. Leaves basal and cauline; stipules ovate to 

very broadly ovate, to 2.6 cm, glabrous, margin entire, apex 

acuminate, caducous; petiole 10–45 cm; blade broadly ovate to 

orbicular, asymmetric, 9–34 × 7–29 cm, venation palmate-pinnate, 

abaxially subglabrous to sparsely hairy, adaxially subglabrous, 

base obliquely cordate, margin serrulate, undivided or 

very shallowly divided, apex acuminate to caudate. Inflorescences 

12–40 cm, subglabrous; peduncle to 31 cm; bracts caducous, 

ovate to broadly ovate, to 2.5 × 1.9 cm, margin entire, 

apex acute. Staminate flowers: tepals 4, pink, outer 2 obovate to 

orbicular, 1.1–2.8 × 1–2.6 cm, inner 2 oblanceolate to obovate, 

1–2.6 cm × 4–13 mm; stamens 78–142; filaments free, 0.8–2.4 

mm; anthers obovoid, 2–2.3 mm. Pistillate flowers: ovary ellipsoid, 

glabrous, 2-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; tepals 5, 

unequal, oblanceolate to orbicular, largest 0.9–2.6 × 0.8–2.3 

cm, smallest 0.8–2.4 cm × 4–11 mm; styles 2, fused at base; 

stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule nodding, unequally 3-winged; 

abaxial wing broadly elliptic to orbicular, 1.9–3.2 × 1.1–2.2 cm; 

lateral wings smaller, 4–6 mm. Fl. Jun–Oct. 2n = 38*. 

● Shaded moist broad-leaved forests; 400–2200 m. C and N Taiwan. 

This species is similar to Begonia formosana but differs by the 

abaxial wing of the capsule, which is broadly elliptic to orbicular, 1.9– 

3.2 × 1.1–2.2 cm. 

24. Begonia chuyunshanensis C. I Peng & Y. K. Chen, Bot. 

Bull. Acad. Sin. 46: 258. 2005. 

出云山秋海棠 chu yun shan qiu hai tang 

Herbs, erect. Rhizomes poorly developed. Stems 40–85 cm 

tall, glabrous. Leaves cauline; stipules caducous, lanceolate to 

ovate, to 2.1 cm, glabrous, margin entire, apex acuminate; petiole 

6–30 cm, glabrous; blade ovate to narrowly ovate, asymmetric, 

12–27 × 5–14 cm, both surfaces sparsely scaberulous, 

venation palmate-pinnate, 7–9-veined, base cordate, margin irregularly 

serrulate or denticulate, often slightly undulate, apex 

acuminate to cuspidate. Inflorescences 5–16 cm; peduncle to 13 

cm; bracts caducous, narrowly ovate to ovate, to 2.3 × 1.4 cm, 

glabrous, margin entire, apex acuminate. Tepals white or very 

faintly pinkish. Staminate flowers: tepals 4, outer 2 broadly 

obovate to orbicular, 9–24 × 7–21 mm, inner 2 oblanceolate to 

narrowly obovate, 7–18 × 4–8 mm; stamens 98–137; filaments 

0.5–2.1 mm; anthers narrowly oblong to oblanceolate, 2.9–3.2 

mm. Pistillate flowers: tepals 5(or 6), unequal to subequal, narrowly 

obovate to broadly obovate, largest 9–21 × 8–18 mm, 

smallest 8–19 × 4–9 mm; ovary glabrous, 3-loculed; placentae 

axile, bilamellate; styles 3, 4.9–5.3 mm, fused at base; stigmas 

2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule nodding, unequally 3-winged; abaxial 

wing triangular, 1.8–2.4 cm; lateral wings much smaller. 2n = 

52*. 

● Shaded moist broad-leaved forests; 500–1600 m. S Taiwan. 

This species is similar to Begonia lukuana but differs by its larger 

anthers and the leaves, which are pale green on both surfaces. 

25. Begonia circumlobata Hance, J. Bot. 21: 203. 1883. 

周裂秋海棠 zhou lie qiu hai tang 


diam. Leaves basal; stipules ovate, 5–8 × 3–5.5 mm, glabrous, 

margin entire, apex acuminate and apiculate; petiole 8–43 cm, 

glabrous to densely villous; blade broadly ovate to oblate-orbicular, 

10–24 cm, sparsely hispidulous, sparsely strigose on veins, 

venation palmate, base subtruncate or shallowly cordate, margin 

irregularly denticulate, distinctly divided; lobes 5 or 6, apex 

acuminate. Inflorescences 5–25 cm tall; bracts oblong, 0.9–1.4 

cm × 3–11 mm, glabrous, margin entire. Staminate flowers: 

pedicel 1.5–4.6 cm; tepals 4, white to pink, outer 2 broadly 

ovate, 1–1.6 × 9–1.4 cm, abaxially sparsely brown hairy, inner 

2 oblong, 0.8–1.3 cm × 5–8 mm; stamens ca. 100; filaments 1– 

2.9 mm; anthers obovoid, 0.9–1.6 mm. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 

8–17 mm; tepals 5, unequal, largest suborbicular, 1.6–1.8 

cm × 8–11 mm, smallest oblong, ca. 12 × 6 mm; ovary pilose, 

2-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 2, fused to halfway; 

stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule nodding, obovoid, ca. 

1.3 cm × 5–6 mm, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing ligulate, 

1.2–2.1 cm, apex obtuse; lateral wings smaller. Fl. Jun, fr. Jul. 

● Shaded moist forests, scrubby vegetation; 200–1100 m. Fujian, 

Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan. 

This species is similar to Begonia pedatifida but differs by lacking 

lobules. 

26. Begonia cirrosa L. B. Smith & Wasshausen, Phytologia 52: 

442. 1983. 

卷毛秋海棠 juan mao qiu hai tang 

Begonia crispula T. T. Yu, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 

21: 38. 1951, not Brade (1950). 


diam. Leaves all basal; stipules pubescent; petiole 9–12 cm, 

densely villous; blade abaxially pale green or reddish, obliquely 

broadly ovate to suborbicular, 6–18 × 6–15 cm, papery, abaxially 

pilose or hirsute-pilose, more densely so on veins, adaxially 

setose-pilose, basally 5–7-veined, tertiary veins weakly percurrent, 

base oblique, deeply cordate, margin denticulate, apex 

shortly caudate. Inflorescences with 8–12 flowers in a dichasial 

cyme; peduncle 15–24 cm, villous; pedicel 3–3.5 cm, red hirsute-hispid; 

bracts oblong to ovate-lanceolate, 4–8 mm, abaxially 

pubescent, margin ciliate, apex obtuse to acuminate. Staminate 

flowers: tepals 4, outer 2 broadly ovate to oblate, 7–17 ×

168 


5–22 mm, inner 2 oblong, 4–14 × 2–9 mm; stamens 30–40; 

filaments nearly free; anthers oblong-obovoid, 1–1.5 mm. Pistillate 

flowers: tepals 3, outer 2 broadly ovate, 6–14 × 5–18 

mm, inner 1 oblong or obovate, 5–8 × 4–6 mm; ovary oblong, 

red hispid-hirsute, 1-loculed with parietal placentae; styles 3. 

Capsule nodding, oblong to ellipsoid, 1–2 cm, unequally 3- 

winged, larger one lunate, 4–7 mm. Fl. Mar–Apr, fr. Apr. 

● Limestone forests; on rocks in shaded environments; ca. 1000 

m. Guangxi (Jingxi, Napo), Yunnan (Funing). 

27. Begonia clavicaulis Irmscher, Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot. Hamburg 

10: 500. 1939. 

腾冲秋海棠 teng chong qiu hai tang 

Herbs, erect. Rhizomes short, stout, ca. 2.5 cm in diam. 

Stems ca. 60 cm. Leaves all cauline; stipules caducous; petiole 

4–14 cm, sparsely villous; blade oblong-ovate or oblong, 

asymmetric, 9–10 × 4.5–9 cm, very thin when dried, sparsely 

hirsute, venation palmate, 8-veined, base oblique, deeply cordate, 

margin denticulate, shallowly divided, 6- or 7-lobed, apex 

acuminate. Inflorescences few flowered, glabrous; bracts broadly 

elliptic to oblong, 4.6–8 × 5–5.8 mm, margin ciliate, apex 

acute or obtuse. Staminate flowers: pedicel 4–6 mm; tepals 4, 

outer 2 broadly ovate, 8–9 × 6–8 mm, outside sparsely pubescent, 

inner 2 broadly elliptic, 5–6 × 4–5 mm, glabrous; stamens 

numerous; filaments 1.3–1.8 mm, fused at base; anthers obovoid, 

0.4–0.6 mm, apex emarginate. Pistillate flowers: tepals 5, 

unequal, largest one broadly ovate, 6–7.3 × 4.5–7 mm, outside 

pubescent, smallest one broadly elliptic, 5–6 × ca. 4 mm, glabrous; 

ovary obliquely elliptic, 4–4.8 × 3–3.8 mm, unequally 3- 

winged, 3-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 3, free; 

stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Mature fruit not available. 

● Shaded moist environments; ca. 2100 m. Yunnan (Tengchong). 

This species is similar to Begonia wenshanensis but differs by 

being a larger plant with oblong-ovate or oblong leaf blades. 

28. Begonia coptidifolia H. G. Ye et al., Bot. Bull. Acad. Sin. 

45: 259. 2004. 

阳春秋海棠 yang chun qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous, erect. Rhizomes slender. Stems 10– 

15(–30) cm. Leaves basal and cauline; stipules persistent, triangular, 

5–8 × 3–4 mm, margin entire, apex long cuspidate; 

petiole 5–13 cm, sparsely setulose; blade ovate to suborbicular, 

nearly symmetric, 10–18 × 8–15 cm, sparsely setulose, venation 

palmate, base cordate, margin dentate, palmately 3-cleft to 

base, pinna bipinnatifid; lobules narrowly elliptic-lanceolate. 

Inflorescences glabrous; peduncle 3.5–4(–7) cm; bracts narrowly 

triangular, ca. 10 × 3 mm, apex acute. Staminate flowers: 

pedicel ca. 1.3 cm; tepals 4, white, glabrous, outer 2 broadly 

ovate, ca. 1.2 × 1.3 cm, inner 2 ovate, ca. 12 × 8 mm; stamens 

numerous; filaments fused to more than halfway; anthers obovoid. 

Pistillate flowers: pedicel pale pinkish, 1.4–1.7 cm; tepals 

5, white, glabrous, unequal, largest orbicular, ca. 1.5 × 1.4 cm, 

smallest narrowly obovate, ca. 12 × 8 mm; ovary glabrous, 2- 

loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 2, fused at base; 


abaxial wing ligulate or falcate, 1.7–2.3 cm, apex rounded. Fl. 

Jul–Sep, fr. Oct–Dec. 2n = 22*. 

● Broad-leaved forests, on mossy rocks along shaded stream 

banks; ca. 600 m. Guangdong (Yangchun). 

This species is very rare and known only from the type locality. 

29. Begonia coptidimontana C. Y. Wu, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 33: 


黄连山秋海棠 huang lian shan qiu hai tang 

Herbs, erect. Rhizomes short, stout. Stems reddish brown 

to reddish, 70–120 cm, glabrous, branching twice or more. 

Leaves basal and cauline; stipules caducous, lanceolate, ca. 5 

mm, membranous, glabrous; petiole 3–5 cm, glabrous or subglabrous; 

blade ovate-lanceolate, 5–12 × 1.8–4 cm, both surfaces 

sparsely hirsute, venation palmate-pinnate, base obliquely 

cordate, margin remotely serrulate, apex caudate-acuminate. Inflorescences 

glabrous, with few flowers; peduncle 2.5–5 cm, 

slender; bracts caducous, oblong, 3–4 × ca. 1 mm, membranous. 

Staminate flowers: tepals 4, pink, outer 2 broadly ovate, 

ca. 8 × 6 mm, outside sparsely hairy, inner 2 oblong, 5–8 × 3.5– 

4(–6) mm, glabrous; stamens numerous; filaments free, 1–1.5 

mm; anthers obovoid, ca. 1 mm. Pistillate flowers: tepals 5, unequal, 

largest broadly ovate, ca. 1.2 × 1.1 cm, outside sparsely 

hairy, smallest oblong, ca. 8 × 5 mm, glabrous; ovary obovoidoblong, 

sparsely hairy when young, 3-loculed; placentae axile, 

bilamellate; styles 3, free; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule 

nodding, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing falcate, 1.3–2 × ca. 

1 cm; lateral wings triangular, 5–7 mm. Fl. Aug, fr. Sep–Oct. 

● Mixed bamboo, banana, and broad-leaved forests, on rocks in 

shaded moist environments along streams; 1700–2200 m. Yunnan (Lüchun, 

Wenshan). 

This species resembles Begonia taiwaniana in the well-branched 

stem and lanceolate leaves, but is distinguishable by the remotely serrulate 

leaves and hairy tepals and ovary. 

30. Begonia crocea C. I Peng, Bot. Stud. 47: 89. 2006. 

橙花秋海棠 cheng hua qiu hai tang 

Herbs, acaulescent. Rhizomes elongate, to 2 cm in diam. 

Stipules caducous, triangular, to 1.5 × 1 cm, glabrous or pilose 

on midvein, margin entire, apex cuspidate; petiole green, 34–41 

× 0.9–1 cm, densely pilose; blade broadly ovate, asymmetric, to 

30.5 × 24 cm, abaxially sparsely pilose, adaxially glabrous, venation 

palmately 9- or 10-veined, base oblique, deeply cordate, 

margin remotely minutely serrulate, apex acute. Inflorescences 

16–34 cm; peduncle 12.5–25 cm × 4–5.8 mm, glabrous; bracts 

ovate, to 2.1 × 1.2 cm, glabrous, margin entire, apex acute. Flower 

buds subglobose. Staminate flowers: pedicel 1.2–1.8(–3.1) 

cm; tepals 4, orange-red, glabrous, outer 2 ovate, 1.1–1.8 × 1.1– 

1.4 cm, inner 2 elliptic or narrowly obovate, 1.1–1.8 × 0.9–1.1 

cm; stamens ca. 100 or more; filaments 2.5–3.5 mm, fused to 

halfway; anthers fusiform to obovoid, 1.5–4.5 mm, apex acuminate. 

Pistillate flowers: pedicel 1.3–1.5 cm; tepals 5, orangered, 

glabrous, subequal, obovate, 1–1.2 × 0.8–1 cm; ovary ellipsoid, 

glabrous, 2-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 2, 

5–5.6 mm, free; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule nodding, 

unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing narrowly oblong, 1.7–1.8 cm 

× 8–8.5 mm, apex obtuse; lateral wings smaller, 6.5–7 mm. 

● Forests; ca. 1200 m. S Yunnan (Jiangcheng).


This species is similar to Begonia megalophyllaria but can be distinguished 

by the hairy habit and orange-red tepals. 

31. Begonia crystallina Y. M. Shui & W. H. Chen, Acta Bot. 

Yunnan. 27: 360. 2005. 

水晶秋海棠 shui jing qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes creeping, 6–12 cm, 0.8–1 

cm in diam.; internodes 0.2–0.3 mm, hirsute-pilose. Leaves all 

basal; stipules reflexed, triangular, 5–7 × 3–4 mm, glabrous, 

apex acuminate; petiole 17–25 cm, hirsute-villous; blade broadly 

ovate, 12–23 × 11–23 cm, thickly papery, abaxially densely 

strigose-pilose on veins, adaxially moderately setulose, hairs 

with slightly tuberculate bases, basally 6- or 7-veined, tertiary 

veins percurrent and densely reticulate, base obliquely cordate, 

margin serrulate and ciliate, apex obtuse. Inflorescences 10–15 

flowered in a dichasial cyme; peduncle 10–18 cm, sparsely 

hirsute; bracts ovate, 2–3 × 1.5–2 mm, subglabrous, margin ciliate, 

apex acuminate. Staminate flowers: pedicels 1–1.1 cm, subglabrous; 

tepals 4, glabrous, outer 2 pink, orbicular, 0.9–1 cm in 

diam., inner 2 pinkish, narrowly oblong, 10–11 × ca. 2 mm; stamens 

numerous; filaments nearly free; anthers oblong, 0.8–0.9 

× 0.6–0.7 mm, apex emarginate or orbicular. Pistillate flowers: 

tepals 3, glabrous, outer 2 pink, orbicular, 7–8 mm in diam., 

inner 1 pinkish, oblong; ovary coniform, ca. 1 cm, glabrous, 3- 

winged, 1-loculed with parietal placentation; styles 3, free, ca. 1 

mm. Capsule nodding, broadly ovoid, ca. 6 × 6 mm; wings 3, 

lunate, larger one 2–3 mm, apex subtruncate. Fl. Aug–Jan. 

● On crystalline rocks in limestone caves. Yunnan (Malipo). 

32. Begonia cucurbitifolia C. Y. Wu, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 33: 

268. 1995. 

瓜叶秋海棠 gua ye qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes 8–11 mm in diam. Stems 

ca. 4 cm, glabrous. Leaves all basal; stipules caducous, lanceolate, 

ca. 1.2 cm, membranous, glabrous; petiole 22–26 cm, glabrous; 

blade orbicular, nearly symmetric, 14–16.2 × 14–16 cm, 

subleathery, both surfaces subglabrous, venation palmate, 3- or 

4-veined, base shallowly cordate to obtuse, margin remotely 

and minutely serrulate, divided to 1/2 of leaf length or more, 3- 

or 4-lobed; lobes oblong or somewhat ovate, apex acuminate to 

caudate. Inflorescences to 27 cm tall, subglabrous; bracts caducous. 

Staminate flowers: pedicel ca. 1.5 cm; tepals 4, white, glabrous, 

outer 2 narrowly ovate or triangular-ovate, ca. 2.5 × 1.3 

cm, inner 2 oblong, ca. 15 × 5 mm, apex acute. Pistillate flowers 

not seen. Capsule nodding, ellipsoid, ca. 17 × 8 mm, glabrous, 

2-loculed, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing ovate-oblong, 

ca. 1.7 × 1.4 cm, apex rounded; lateral wings lunate, 5–7 

mm; placentae axile, bilamellate. Fl. Aug, fr. Aug. 2n = 44*. 

● Forests, on rocks, in moist environments in valleys; ca. 400 m. 

Yunnan (Hekou). 

This species is similar to Begonia paucilobata but differs by its 3- 

or 4-lobed leaves. 

33. Begonia curvicarpa S. M. Ku et al., Bot. Bull. Acad. Sin. 

45: 353. 2004. 

弯果秋海棠 wan guo qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizome elongate, sparsely hairy; internodes 

1.5–5.5 cm. Leaves all basal; stipules triangular, ca. 10 

× 9 mm, margin entire; petiole 7–17 cm, hirsute-villous; blade 

obliquely broadly ovate to orbicular, 4–19 × 3–12 cm, papery, 

abaxially villous, adaxially pilose, basally 6- or 7-veined, tertiary 

veins weakly percurrent and reticulate, base obliquely 

deeply cordate, margin denticulate or dentate and ciliate, apex 

acute to acuminate. Inflorescences axillary, flowers 3–5 in 1–3 

times branched dichasial cyme; peduncle 9–12 cm, glabrous; 

bracts oblong, elliptic to ovate, 4–10 × 3–6 mm, margin serrateciliate, 

apex obtuse. Staminate flowers: tepals 4, glabrous, outer 

2 broadly ovate to ovate-orbicular, 1.3–1.5 × 1.5–1.7 cm, inner 

2 oblanceolate, ca. 12 × 6 mm; stamens 35–40; filaments nearly 

free, ca. 2 mm; anthers obovoid-oblong, ca. 1.2 mm, apex subemarginate. 

Pistillate flowers: tepals 3, glabrous, outer 2 broadly 

ovate to ovate-orbicular, 1.4–1.7 × 1.5–1.7 cm, inner 1 obtrullate 

to oblanceolate; ovary glabrous, ± curved, 1-loculed 

with parietal placentation; styles 3, fused to 1/3. Capsule nodding, 

manifestly crooked, 11–14 × 8–9 mm, glabrous, unequally 

3-winged; abaxial wing 8–8.5 mm. Fl. Aug–Nov, fr. Oct– 

Dec. 2n = 30 *. 

● On limestone rocks or at entrances to semishaded to shaded, 

slightly moist caves. Guangxi (Rong’an, Yongfu). 

34. Begonia cylindrica D. R. Liang & X. X. Chen, Bull. Bot. 

Res., Harbin 13: 217. 1993. 

柱果秋海棠 zhu guo qiu hai tang 

Herbs. Rhizome elongate. Leaf basal; stipules ovate-triangular, 

6–11 mm, glabrous, apex acuminate and with short 

awns; petiole reddish, 2–13 cm, sparsely hairy when young; 

blade peltate, broadly ovate or suborbicular, slightly asymmetric, 

5–11 × 4.5–8 cm, thickly papery, glabrous or subglabrous, 

venation palmate, 6-veined, base oblique, rounded, margin remotely 

serrate, apex shortly caudate. Inflorescences 4–10 cm 

tall, shorter than petiole, glabrous; with 2–8 flowers; bracts caducous. 

Staminate flowers: pedicel 0.8–2 cm; tepals 4, white to 

pinkish, glabrous, outer 2 oblate-orbicular, 4–11 × 4–12 mm, 

glabrous, inner 2 narrow, oblong or lanceolate, 3–7 × 1.2–3 

mm, apex obtuse; stamens 25–50; filaments 0.4–1.1 mm; anthers 

obovoid to oblong, 0.7–1.5 mm, apex truncate. Pistillate 

flowers: pedicel 4–8 mm; tepals 3, glabrous, usually persistent 

at fruiting stage, outer 2 broadly obovate or suborbicular, 4–8 × 

4–8 mm, inner 1 oblong-obovate, 1.5–5 × 1–2 mm; ovary oblong, 

terete, glabrous, 3-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; 

styles 3, fused at base; stigma 2-cleft, U-shaped. Fruit berrylike, 

clavate, descending or deflexed, 1.5–2.4 cm × 2–4 mm, wingless. 

Fl. Jul, fr. Aug. 

● Forests, on limestone rocks in shaded moist environments. 

Guangxi (Longzhou). 

35. Begonia daweishanensis S. H. Huang & Y. M. Shui, Acta 

Bot. Yunnan. 16: 337. 1994. 

大围山秋海棠 da wei shan qiu hai tang 

Creeping herbs. Rhizome elongate. Stem 5–10(–17) cm. 

Leaves mostly basal; stipules ovate, 1.3–1.6 cm, pubescent, 

margin entire, apex cuspidate; petiole 15–30 cm, densely pubescent; 

blade ovate, asymmetric, 8–12 × 7–10 cm, abaxially pu-

170 


berulous, more densely so on veins, adaxially subglabrous to 

sparsely hairy, venation palmate, base cordate, margin irregularly 

serrulate, very shallowly lobed, apex caudate-acuminate. 

Inflorescences puberulous; peduncle ca. 13 cm. Bracts oblong, 

to 1.2 cm, apex acute. Staminate flowers: pedicel ca. 1.2 cm; 

tepals 4, pink, outer 2 broadly ovate, ca. 1.8 × 1.2 cm, outside 

puberulous, inner 2 oblong, 7–8 × ca. 5 mm, glabrous; filaments 

1–1.2 mm; anthers numerous, oblong-obovoid, ca. 1 mm. Pistillate 

flowers: pedicel ca. 1.2 cm; tepals 5, pink, unequal, 1–1.8 × 

4–10 cm, abaxially puberulous; ovary puberulous, 2-loculed; 

placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 2; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. 

Capsule nodding, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing ligulate or 

falcate, ca. 18 × 8 mm, apex rounded; lateral wings smaller, ca. 

12 × 6 mm. 

● Broad-leaved forests, moist places; 1400–1800 m. Yunnan (Pingbian). 

This species resembles Begonia dryadis but differs by its welldeveloped, 

elongate rhizome and the predominantly basal leaves. 

36. Begonia daxinensis T. C. Ku, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 35: 45. 

1997. 

大新秋海棠 da xin qiu hai tang 

Begonia zhangii D. Fang & D. H. Qin. 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes elongate. Leaves all basal; 

stipules caducous, ovate, 6–12 mm, abaxially villous on veins 

when young, apex awned; petiole 5–14 cm, sparsely to moderately 

villous; blade adaxially green, with a whitish ringshaped 

belt, obliquely ovate to suborbicular, 10–24 × 10–17 

cm, herbaceous or papery, abaxially subglabrous or scaberulous, 

adaxially glabrous, basally 6- or 7-veined, tertiary veins 

weakly percurrent, base cordate, margin denticulate, apex shortly 

caudate. Inflorescences axillary; peduncle 13–20 cm, pilose 

or sparsely villous; flowers white or pinkish, 4–10 in 3–4 times 

branched dichasial cyme. Staminate flowers: tepals 4, outer 2 

broadly elliptic or broadly ovate, 1.2–1.9 × 1–1.6 cm, abaxially 

glandular pilose, inner 2 obovate or broadly oblanceolate, 12– 

14 × 4–5 mm, glabrous; stamens 16–27. Pistillate flowers: tepals 

3, outer 2 suborbicular, 1–1.5 × 1–1.2 cm, abaxially glandular 

pilose, inner 1 obovate, 5–7.5 × 2–5 mm; ovary 1-loculed 

with parietal placentation. Capsule nodding, ovate-oblong, 13– 

20 × 6–8 mm, glabrous, subequally 3-winged; wings lunate, 3–7 

mm. Fl. Mar–Jun, fr. Apr–Jun. 

● Limestone hills, shaded rocky places. Guangxi (Daxin, 

Long’an). 

37. Begonia debaoensis C. I Peng et al., Bot. Stud. 47: 207. 

2006. 

德保秋海棠 de bao qiu hai tang 

Begonia bonii Gagnepain var. remotisetulosa Y. M. Shui & 

W. H. Chen. 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes 20–60 cm, slender, 2.5–6 

mm in diam.; internodes 1.5–3.5 cm. Leaves basal; stipules triangular 

to ovate-triangular, 4–9 × 4–6 mm, apex acute or obtuse; 

petiole 5–12 cm, 1.5–3 mm in diam., villous; blade adaxially 

green or dark green on veins, otherwise whitish or pale 

green, broadly ovate or suborbicular, 5–9.5 × 3.6–6.8 cm, 

basally 5- or 6-veined, tertiary veins percurrent and loosely 

reticulate. Inflorescences axillary, flowers 4–7 in a dichasial 

cyme; peduncle 6–15 cm, glabrous; bracts ovate to orbicular, 3– 

5 × 3–4 mm, margin ciliate. Staminate flowers: pedicel 9–17 

mm; tepals 4, outer 2 pink toward margin, whitish in middle, 

suborbicular, 6–11 × 7–12 mm, inner 2 oblong or narrowly obovate, 

8–10 × 3–4 mm; stamens abnormal, base with exposed 

ovulelike structures, apex forming a stigmalike structure, without 

anthers. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 7–11 mm, sometimes with 

a bracteole; tepals 3, caducous or nearly so, outer 2 tepals bicolored 

as staminate flowers, suborbicular, 5–11 × 5–11 mm, 

inner 2 tepals oblong or narrowly obovate, 4–7 × 2.5–3.5 mm, 

apex obtuse; ovary ellipsoid, 5–8 × 3.7–4.1 mm, unequally or 

subequally 3-winged, 1-loculed with parietal placentation; abaxial 

wing lunate, 3–5 × 5–7 mm; styles 3, fused in proximal 

1/4. Capsule not developed. Fl. Aug–Jan. 2n = 30*. 

● Walls of caves at bases of steep limestone hills. W Guangxi 

(Debao). 

38. Begonia dentatobracteata C. Y. Wu, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 

33: 254. 1995 [“dentato-bracteata”]. 

齿苞秋海棠 chi bao qiu hai tang 

Herbs, deciduous. Tubers 1.5–1.9 cm in diam. Leaves 2- 

or 3-fasciculate on tuber; stipules membranous, caducous; petiole 

13–16.5 cm, glabrous or subglabrous; blade oblong-ovate or 

oblong, slightly asymmetric, 11–14 × 6.9–8.8 cm, abaxially hispidulous 

on veins, adaxially sparsely hispidulous, base cordate, 

margin serrulate, undivided, apex caudate-acuminate. Inflorescences 

terminal, racemose at base, ca. 26 cm tall; bracts oblong 

to obovate, membranous, apex (2 or)3–5 toothed. Staminate 

flowers: tepals 4, pink, outer 2 broadly ovate, 4–5 × 3–3.5 mm, 

inner 2 oblong, ca. 2.5 × 1 mm; stamens numerous; filaments 

fused to halfway; anthers oblong, ca. 1 mm. Pistillate flowers: 

tepals not seen; ovary 3-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; 

styles 3, free; stigmas U-shaped. Capsule pendulous, unequally 

3-winged; abaxial wing oblate-orbicular, 7–13 × 7–12 mm, 

apex acute or obtuse; lateral wings smaller. Fl. Jul, fr. Aug. 

● Broad-leaved forests, on rocky cliffs in shaded environments; 

1600–1900 m. W Yunnan (Pianma). 

This species is similar to Begonia labordei and probably can only 

be separated by its distinctly dentate bracts with 3–5 teeth at the apices. 

39. Begonia dielsiana E. Pritzel, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 29: 479. 1900. 

南川秋海棠 nan chuan qiu hai tang 

Herbs. Rhizome 1.2–3.5 cm in diam. Stem very short. 

Leaves mostly arising from rhizome; stipules caducous; petiole 

16–50 cm, glabrous; blade broadly oblong-ovate, asymmetric, 

9–17 × 7–15 cm, both surfaces glabrous or adaxially sparsely 

hairy, venation palmate, 6-veined, base oblique, deeply cordate, 

margin remotely serrulate, very shallowly divided, 5–10-lobed; 

lobes triangular or broadly triangular, apex acuminate. Inflorescences 

9–24 cm tall, glabrous; bracts caducous. Staminate 

flowers: pedicel 2–2.7 cm; tepals 4, white to pinkish, glabrous, 

outer 2 orbicular or broadly ovate, 2–2.5 × ca. 2 cm, inner 2 

oblong, ca. 2 × 1 cm; stamens numerous; filaments 2.5–3 mm; 

anthers oblong-obovoid, ca. 1.8 mm, apex emarginate. Pistillate 

flowers: pedicel 2.7–3.1 cm; ovary obovoid, glabrous; unequal-


ly 3-winged, 2-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; tepals 6, 

white to pinkish, glabrous, outer 3 narrowly obovate, 2.1–2.3 × 

1.3–1.6 cm, inner 3 broadly oblanceolate, 2.3–2.6 × 1.3–1.6 

cm; styles 2, 6.2–6.6 mm, fused at base; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. 

Capsule nodding, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing larger, 

elliptic to falcate, apex rounded. Fl. Jul. 

● On rocks in shaded moist environments by streams or in valleys; 

1000–1300 m. Chongqing (Nanchuan), Hubei (Lichuan), Sichuan 

(Emei Shan). 

This species is similar to Begonia emeiensis but differs by its glabrous 

leaves. 

40. Begonia digyna Irmscher, Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot. Hamburg 6: 

352. 1927. 

槭叶秋海棠 qi ye qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous, 25–37 cm tall. Rhizomes ca. 1 cm in 

diam. Stems erect or ascending, sparsely hairy. Leaves mostly 

basal; stipules caducous; petiole 1–2.5 cm, rusty hairy; blade 

broadly ovate to orbicular, slightly asymmetric, 7–15(–18) × 7– 

13(–20) cm, thin when dried, sparsely pilose, apex acuminate, 

venation palmate, base cordate, obliquely cordate, margin serrulate, 

distinctly lobed, divided to 1/2 of leaf length, 6- or 7- 

lobed; lobes triangular-ovate, middle lobe divided with 1 lobule. 

Inflorescences sparsely hairy; peduncle 18–20 cm; bracts 

caducous. Staminate flowers: pedicel 2.5–3 cm; tepals 4, pink, 

outer 2 broadly ovate, 1.7–2 × 1.8–2.1 cm, abaxially pilose, 

inner 2 oblong-obovate, 1.5–2 cm × 9–11 mm; stamens numerous; 

filaments 1.5–1.8 mm; anthers obovoid-oblong, 1.1–1.5 

mm, apex slightly emarginate. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 1.7– 

2.1 cm, hairy; tepals 5, unequal, largest one broadly ovate, 1.6– 

2.1 × 1.1–1.4 cm, abaxially villous, smallest one oblong-elliptic, 

ca. 11 × 7 mm, glabrous; ovary elliptic, 8–10 × 5–6 mm, 

pilose, 2-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 2, 5–6.5 

mm; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule nodding, ellipsoid, unequally 

3-winged; abaxial wing triangular or broadly ligulate, 

1.3–1.8 cm × 9–10 mm, apex rounded; lateral wings oblate-triangular. 

Fl. Jul, fr. Aug. 

● Forests; on rocks in shaded moist environments by streams or in 

valleys; 500–700 m. Fujian, Jiangxi, Zhejiang. 

This species is similar to Begonia edulis but differs by its sparsely 

pilose, distinctly lobed leaves. 

41. Begonia discrepans Irmscher, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 76: 100. 

1953. 

细茎秋海棠 xi jing qiu hai tang 

Begonia tenuicaulis Irmscher, Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot. Hamburg 

10: 543. 1939, not A. Candolle (1859). 

Herbs. Rhizome unknown. Stem ca. 40 cm, 4–5 mm in 

diam., brown hairy. Stipules obliquely triangular-ovate, 9–10 × 

4–7 mm, abaxially hirsute on veins, apex acute or obtuse. Petiole 

0.9–5 cm, sparsely hirsute; blade ovate, asymmetric, 6–12 × 

2.9–7.3 cm, adaxially sparsely hirsute, venation palmate-pinnate, 

5–7-veined, more densely so on veins, base cordate, margin 

serrulate, apex acuminate. Inflorescences pilose; peduncle 

3.5–6.5 cm; bracts ovate-oblong or ovate, 10–13 × 7–9 mm, 

membranous, margin and outside pilose, apex acuminate and 

long cuspidate. Staminate flowers: pedicel ca. 1.6 cm, hispidulous; 

tepals 4, outer 2 elliptic-ovate, ca. 1.5 × 1.1 cm, outside 

hirsute, inner 2 broadly ovate, ca. 8.5 × 6.2 mm, glabrous; 

stamens numerous; filaments 1–1.4 mm; anthers obovoidoblong, 

0.9–1.2 mm. Pistillate flowers: tepals 5, outside hirsute; 

ovary oblong, subequally 3-winged, 2-loculed; styles 2, fused at 

base. Capsule not seen. 

● Yunnan (Tengchong). 

The description is based on the type gathering. 

42. Begonia discreta Craib, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1930: 410. 

1930. 

景洪秋海棠 jing hong qiu hai tang 

Herbs, deciduous. Tubers ca. 7 mm in diam. Leaves basal; 

stipules caducous; petiole 3–8.5 cm; blade oblong or oblongovate, 

asymmetric, 4.5–13 × 3.5–9 cm, abaxially sparsely brown 

pilose on veins, adaxially sparsely brown pilose or subglabrous, 

venation palmate, 7(–9)-veined, base obliquely cordate, margin 

serrulate, apex acuminate or acute. Inflorescences terminal, 

3.5–7 cm tall, subglabrous; bracts caducous. Staminate flowers: 

pedicel 5–10 mm; tepals 4, outer 2 elliptic, ca. 11 × 7 mm, outside 

remotely villous, inner 2 oblong-oblanceolate, ca. 10 × 2.5 

mm, glabrous; stamens 12; filaments fused at base; anthers ca. 

1 mm. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 5–10 mm; tepals similar to 

those of staminate flowers, but slightly smaller; ovary 3-loculed; 

placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 3, ca. 2 mm, fused to 

halfway; stigmas lunate. Capsule pendulous, narrowly obovoid, 

ca. 6 × 5 mm, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing triangular, ca. 7 

× 5 mm; lateral wings smaller. Fl. Sep–Oct. 

Scrubby vegetation; ca. 800 m. Yunnan (Jinghong) [Thailand]. 

The type was collected from Thailand. 

43. Begonia dryadis Irmscher, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 

21: 41. 1951. 

厚叶秋海棠 hou ye qiu hai tang 

Herbs. Rhizomes short, stout, 8–24 mm in diam. Stems 

erect, to ca. 60 cm tall, densely puberulous when young. Leaves 

cauline; stipules caducous; petiole 18–42 cm, puberulous; blade 

ovate or broadly ovate, asymmetric, 9–30 × 7.5–24 cm, abaxially 

sparsely puberulous, more densely so on veins, adaxially 

subglabrous, venation palmate, 6- or 7-veined, base obliquely 

cordate, margin remotely and indistinctly denticulate, apex caudate. 

Inflorescences puberulous when young; peduncle 4–12 

cm; bracts rhomboid-ovate, 1.5–1.9 cm × 4–18 mm, membranous, 

puberulous, apex acute. Staminate flowers: pedicel 1.4– 

2.1 cm; tepals 4, pink, outer 2 narrowly ovate, 0.9–1.5 × 0.8–2 

cm, abaxially puberulous, inner 2 oblong, 8–15 × 5–15 mm; 

stamens 100–160; filaments 1–6.7 mm; anthers oblong, 0.7– 

2.5 mm. Pistillate flowers: pedicel ca. 1.8 cm; ovary puberulous, 

2-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; tepals 5(or 6), largest 

one broadly ovate, 1.1–1.6 × 1.1–1.3 cm, abaxially puberulous, 

smallest one elliptic, 10–16 × 7–13 mm; styles 2, 5–6.3 

mm, fused at base; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule nodding, 

ellipsoid, ca. 1.5 cm, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing ca. 1.8 

× 1.2 cm, apex rounded; lateral wings smaller. Fl. Nov–Dec, fr. 

Dec. 2n = 22*.

172 


● Forest understories, by streams in valleys; 600–1200 m. S Yunnan. 

This species is similar to Begonia daweishanensis but can be distinguished 

by its short, stout rhizome and the presence of cauline leaves. 

44. Begonia duclouxii Gagnepain, Bull. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat. 

25: 198. 1919. 

川边秋海棠 chuan bian qiu hai tang 

Herbs. Rhizomes elongate, 5–7 mm in diam. Leaves basal; 

stipules oblong, 8–10 mm, apex shortly cuspidate; petiole 

(7–)8–14 cm, rusty villous; blade ovate, asymmetric, 6–8 × 5–6 

cm, abaxially villous, adaxially hairy, hairs to 6 mm, venation 

palmate, 5–7-veined, base deeply cordate, margin irregularly serrate, 

apex acute or shortly acuminate. Inflorescences 9–18 cm 

tall, glabrous; peduncle ca. 15 cm, glabrous; bracts oblong, ciliate. 

Staminate flowers: pedicel 1.2–1.5 cm; tepals 4, outer 2 

ovate-orbicular or broadly ovate, 11–15 × 8–12 mm, abaxially 

hairy, inner 2 oblong, 8–10 × 2.5–5 mm; stamens numerous; 

filaments 1–1.5 mm; anthers obovoid-ellipsoid, 1–1.3 mm, apex 

emarginate. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 1–1.2 cm; ovary villous, 

2-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; tepals 4 or 5, largest orbicular 

or broadly ovate, 7–10 × 7–8.5 mm, outside pilose, 

smallest oblong or obovate-oblong, 6–8 × 3–5 mm, glabrous; 

styles 2, free or fused to halfway; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. 

Capsule unequally 3-winged. Fl. Jun, fr. Aug. 

● 1000–1400 m. NE Yunnan (Suijiang). 

45. Begonia edulis H. Léveillé, Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 

7: 20. 1909. 

食用秋海棠 shi yong qiu hai tang 

Herbs, 40–60 cm tall. Rhizomes elongate, 8–15 mm in 

diam. Stems erect, glabrous or subglabrous. Leaves basal and 

cauline; stipules triangular-lanceolate, 1.2–1.5 cm, membranous, 

glabrous, apex acuminate; petiole 15–25 cm, subglabrous; 

blade orbicular or oblate-orbicular, slightly asymmetric, 16–20 

× 15–21 cm, abaxially subglabrous or sparsely hairy on veins, 

adaxially sparsely hairy when young, venation palmate, 6–8- 

veined, base cordate, margin remotely denticulate, shallowly 

lobed, divided to ca. 1/3 of leaf length; lobes broadly triangular, 

apex acuminate. Inflorescences 16–26 cm tall, subglabrous or 

glabrous; peduncle 4–15 cm. Staminate flowers: pedicel 1.3– 

2.8 cm; tepals 4, glabrous, outer 2 ovate-triangular, 1.2–1.5 × 

1.2–1.6 cm, inner 2 oblong, 11–15 × 7–10 mm; stamens 140– 

200; filaments 1.3–5.9 mm, fused at base; anthers oblong, 0.8– 

1.6 mm. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 1.5–2.5 cm; tepals 5 or 6, 

glabrous, unequal, largest broadly obovate, 1.2–1.9 cm × 8–15 

mm, smallest narrowly oblong, 11–20 × 5–14 mm; ovary glabrous, 

2-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 2, 4.7–5.9 

mm; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule nodding, 1.5–1.8 cm; 

unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing oblong to falcate, 1–1.8 cm; 

lateral wings smaller. Fl. Jun–Sep, fr. Aug. 

Forests; on shaded moist rocks or forest floor; 500–1500 m. 

Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan [Vietnam]. 

This species is similar to Begonia palmata but differs by its glabrous 

tepals and ovary. 

46. Begonia emeiensis C. M. Hu ex C. Y. Wu & T. C. Ku, Acta 

Phytotax. Sin. 33: 273. 1995. 

峨眉秋海棠 e mei qiu hai tang 

Herbs, perennial. Rhizome terete, oblique, stout, with numerous 

slender fibrous roots. Stem short, 4(–20) cm tall or 

stemless. Basal leaf 1 similar to cauline ones, with long petiole; 

stipules caducous; petiole 17–27 cm, angular, glabrous; 

blade abaxially pale green, adaxially deep green or browngreen, 

ovate-oblong, 12–14 × 11–13 cm, abaxially subglabrous, 

adaxially subglabrous or sparsely hispidulous, palmately 6- 

veined, base deeply cordate, margin unequally shortly 

triangularly toothed (teeth apically awned), apex caudateacuminate. 

Scape 13–20 cm tall, angular, glabrous; flowers 

pink, usually 2–4 in dichotomous cyme; peduncle 13–15 cm, 

angular, glabrous; pedicel (0.8–)2–3 cm, glabrous; bracts 

caducous. Staminate flower: tepals 4, outer 2 large, oblong, 

1.3–1.8 × 0.8–1.5 cm, apex rounded; stamens numerous; 

filaments 2–2.5 mm, free; anthers oblong, ca. 1 mm. Pistillate 

flower: tepals 5 or 6, unequal, variable in shape, outer 2 

broadly obovate, 1.2–2.1 × 1–1.3 cm, apex rounded, 

innermost 1 obovate-lanceolate, ca. 1 × 5–6 mm, apex 

rounded; ovary oblong or obovoid, ca. 10 × 5 mm, glabrous, 

unequally 3-winged, 2-loculed, placentae bilamellate; styles 2, 

short; stigma branched, spirally tortuous and papillose all 

around. Mature fruit unknown. Fl. Jul–Aug, fr. Sep. 

● In shrubs by stream banks; 900–1000 m. Sichuan (Emei Shan). 

This species is similar to Begonia dielsiana but differs by its adaxially 

hispidulous leaf blade. 

47. Begonia fangii Y. M. Shui & C. I Peng, Bot. Bull. Acad. 

Sin. 46: 83. 2005. 

方氏秋海棠 fang shi qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes elongate, 8–15 mm in diam.; 

internodes to 8–15 cm, sparsely villous. Leaves palmately compound; 

stipules triangular to narrowly so, 12–15 × 9–12 mm; 

petiole 6–20 cm; leaflets 3–6, abaxially reddish brown, adaxially 

dark green, lanceolate, 7–15 × 2.5–4.5 cm, subleathery, 

abaxially sericeous on veins, apex acuminate. Inflorescences 

axillary; peduncle to 22 cm, sparsely to moderately pubescent; 

bracts caducous, oblong to ovate, 8–13 × 6–9 mm, abaxially 

glabrous or subglabrous, apex acute to obtuse. Staminate flowers: 

tepals 4, pinkish, outer 2 broadly ovate to orbicular, 1.6–2.2 

× 2–2.2 cm, abaxially pilose; inner 2 oblanceolate to obtrullate; 

stamens 25–55; filaments nearly free; anthers oblong, 1.5–1.7 

mm. Pistillate flowers: tepals 3, pinkish, outer 2 broadly ovate 

to orbicular, 1.3–1.5 × 1.4–1.6 cm, abaxially pilose; inner tepal 

8–10 × ca. 5 mm; ovary subglabrous, 1-loculed with parietal 

placentation; styles 3, fused at base. Capsule nodding, 12–15 × 

6–7 mm, abaxial wing 4–6 × 12–15 mm. Fl. Dec–Apr, fr. Feb– 

Jun. 2n = 30*. 

● On limestone rocks in forests; 400–700 m. Guangxi (Longzhou). 

This species resembles Begonia hemsleyana by the palmately 

compound leaves, but can be distinguished by the horizontal stem, pistillate 

flower with 3 tepals, 3 stigmas, 1-loculed ovary, and parietal placentae.


48. Begonia fenicis Merrill, Philipp. J. Sci. 3: 421. 1909. 

兰屿秋海棠 lan yu qiu hai tang 

Begonia kotoensis Hayata. 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes elongate, to 1.9 cm in diam. 

Leaves basal; stipules ovate to triangular, to 2.1 × 1.8 cm, glabrous, 

apex mucronate, acuminate; petiole 7–31 cm, glabrous; 

blade broadly ovate to orbicular, asymmetric, 7–26 × 6–21 cm, 

glabrous or abaxially remotely scaberulous, venation palmate, 

7–10-veined, base oblique, cordate, margin irregularly denticulate, 

apex mucronate to acuminate. Inflorescences 17–53 cm, 

glabrous; bracts caducous, orbicular to oblate, to 1.4 × 1.8 cm, 

glabrous, margin entire and often reflexed, apex retuse to apiculate. 

Staminate flowers: pedicel 8–10 mm; tepals 4, outer 2 obovate 

to orbicular, 0.9–2.5 × 0.8–2.2 cm, inner 2 oblanceolate to 

narrowly obovate, 0.8–2.3 cm × 4–11 mm; stamens 39–58; filaments 

1.2–2.3 mm; anthers broadly oblong, 1.4–1.8 mm, apex 

obtuse. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 1.5–2 cm; tepals 5(or 6), unequal, 

oblanceolate to broadly obovate, largest 0.8–2.1 × 0.7– 

1.8 cm, smallest 0.7–18 cm × 4–8 mm; ovary glabrous, 3- 



abaxial wing transversely elliptic, 6–10 mm; lateral wings lunate, 

3–8 mm. Fl. May–Oct. 2n = 26*. 

Margins of coastal forests, raised coral rocks by seashores; below 

100 m. Taiwan (Huoshao Dao, Lan Yu) [Japan (Ryukyu Islands), Philippines 

(Bataan Islands)]. 

49. Begonia filiformis Irmscher, Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot. Hamburg 

10: 521. 1939. 

丝形秋海棠 si xing qiu hai tang 

Herbs. Rhizomes creeping, tortuous, 0.7–1.5 mm in diam. 

Leaves all basal; stipules caducous, triangular, 0.5–1 × 0.5–0.7 

cm, apex awned; petiole 5–15 cm; blade adaxially green, with 

white spot between veins, obliquely ovate to suborbicular, 9–22 

× 9–14 cm, papery, abaxially woolly-villous, more densely so 

on veins, adaxially papillose-tomentose or setose-tomentose, 

venation palmate, 7-veined, tertiary veins weakly percurrent, 

base deeply cordate, margin shallowly and densely serrate, apex 

acuminate or shortly caudate. Inflorescences axillary; peduncle 

22–40 cm, glandular hispid; bracts oblong-lanceolate, 4–7 × 

1.1–1.5 mm, margin long ciliate or serrate-ciliate, apex awned. 

Staminate flowers: pedicel 1–2.3 cm, glandular hispid; tepals 4, 

outer 2 ovate or suborbicular, 8–12 × 7–8 mm, adaxially glandular 

hispid, apex acute or rounded, inner 2 oblong, 5–7 × 2.2– 

2.6 mm, apex rounded; stamens numerous; filaments ca. 1.5 

mm; anthers obovoid, 0.5–0.8 mm, apex ± emarginate. Pistillate 

flowers: pedicel 1.5–3 cm, glandular hispid; tepals 3, outer 2 

broadly ovate, 7–10 × 8–10 mm, adaxially glandular hispid, 

inner 1 oblong, 5–6 × 2.2–2.8 mm; ovary elliptic, glandular hispid, 

1-loculed; styles 3, fused at base; stigmas spiraled. Capsule 

nodding, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing ligulate or lunate, 

4–7.5 mm; lateral wings smaller, subtriangular or lunate. Fl. 

(Mar–)Apr–Jun, fr. May. 

● On limestone rocks or in moist rocky caves of forest understories. 

Guangxi (Long’an, Longzhou). 

50. Begonia fimbribracteata Y. M. Shui & W. H. Chen, Acta 

Bot. Yunnan. 27: 362. 2005. 

须苞秋海棠 xu bao qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes 7–10 cm, 2–10 mm in 

diam., glabrous, internodes 0.2–0.4 mm, apex acuminate. Leaves 

all basal; stipules triangular, ca. 5 × 3 mm, subglabrous; petiole 

9–15 cm, with sparse strigae 1–2 mm; blade broadly ovate, 6–7 

× 5–6 cm, papery, rugose and conically bullate, abaxially sparsely 

strigose on veins and notched on areolae, adaxially sparsely 

tumid-based setose, basally 6- or 7-veined, tertiary veins percurrent 

and loosely reticulate, base obliquely cordate, margin 

ciliate and serrulate, apex rounded. Inflorescences with ca. 5 

flowers in a dichasial cyme; peduncle 10–16 cm, sparsely hairy; 

bracts oblong, ca. 4 × 3 mm, glabrous, margin serrulate and fimbriate-ciliate. 

Staminate flowers: pedicels 1.2–1.5 cm, sparsely 

hairy; tepals 4, outer 2 pink, broadly obovate, 8–9 × 7–8 mm, 

sometimes abaxially sparsely pilose, inner 2 pinkish, oblongobovate; 

stamens numerous; filaments nearly free, 1.2–1.4 mm; 

anthers broadly oblong, 1.1–1.2 × 1.4–1.6 mm, apex obtuse. 

Pistillate flowers: tepals 3, outer 2 pink, orbicular, 0.5–0.6 cm 

in diam., glabrous, inner 1 white, obovate; ovary obconiform, 

4–5 mm, sparsely hairy, 1-loculed with parietal placentation; 

styles 3, free, 1–1.1 mm; wings 3, subequal, lunate. Capsules unknown. 

Fl. Jun. 

● Limestone hills; ca. 300 m. Guangxi (Donglan). 

51. Begonia fimbristipula Hance, J. Bot. 21: 202. 1883. 

紫背天葵 zi bei tian kui 

Begonia cyclophylla J. D. Hooker. 

Herbs, deciduous. Tubers 7–8 mm in diam. Leaf solitary; 

stipules ovate-lanceolate, 3–7 × 2–4 mm, apex acute and cuspidate; 

petiole 3–11.5 cm, villous; blade broadly ovate, 6–13 × 

4.8–8.5 cm, nearly symmetric, rugulose, abaxially hairy, adaxially 

sparsely pubescent, venation palmate, 7(or 8)-veined, base 

slightly oblique, cordate or deeply cordate, margin denticulate, 

apex acute or shortly acuminate. Inflorescences terminal, cymose, 

6–18 cm tall, glabrous; bracts oblong, 3–4 × 1.5–2.5 

mm, glabrous, apex obtuse or acute. Staminate flowers: pedicel 

1.5–2 cm; tepals 4, pale pink to purplish pink, glabrous, outer 2 

broadly ovate, 8–13 × 8–10 mm, inner 2 obovate-oblong, 7– 

12.5 × 4–5 mm; stamens 50–60; filaments 1–1.5 mm; anthers 

oblong or obovoid-oblong, 0.6–1 mm, apex emarginate or obtuse. 

Pistillate flowers: pedicel 1–1.5 cm; tepals 3, pale pink to 

purplish pink, glabrous, outer 2 oblate or orbicular, 6–8 × 9–11 

mm, inner 1 oblanceolate, 6.1–9.2 × 2.8–4.2 mm; ovary 5–6 

mm, glabrous, 3-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 3, 

2.8–3 mm, free or fused to halfway; stigmas U-shaped. Capsule 

pendulous, ovoid-oblong, ca. 11 × 7–8 mm, unequally 3-winged; 

abaxial wing triangular, 1.1–1.4 cm; lateral wings ca. 3 mm. Fl. 

May, fr. Jun. 2n = 22*. 

● Forest understories, on rocks or on soil of slopes; 700–1100 m. 

Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Hunan, Jiangxi, Zhejiang. 

The leaves of this species are harvested and dried for brewing a 

beverage (i.e., a tea) in Guangdong.

174 


52. Begonia flaviflora H. Hara, J. Jap. Bot. 45: 91. 1970. 

黄花秋海棠 huang hua qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes creeping. Stem erect, 20– 

30 cm, brown tomentose when young. Leaves basal and cauline; 

stipules lanceolate, caducous; petiole to 20 cm, brown tomentose 

when young; blade ovate, asymmetric, 10–23 × 7–18 

cm, rugose, pilose, brown tomentose on veins, venation palmate, 

base obliquely cordate, margin denticulate, shallowly 

lobed to distinctly divided; lobes triangular, 1–5 cm, apex long 

acuminate or acuminate. Inflorescences with 3–6 flowers; peduncle 

to 11 cm, brown tomentose; bracts caducous, deep red, 

oblong, 2–3 cm, glabrous. Staminate flowers: tepals 4, yellowish 

to deep yellow, outer 2 ovate, 1.5–2 cm, adaxially pilose, 

apex acute, inner 2 elliptic, 1–1.5 cm, apex acute; stamens numerous; 

anthers oblong, 1.2–2 mm; ovary trigonous, pilose, unequally 

3-winged. Fruit not seen. 

Forests, shaded moist environments; 1600–2600 m. Xizang, Yunnan 

[Bhutan, NE India, Myanmar]. 

This species resembles Begonia palmata but differs by its yellow 

tepals. 

1a. Blade very shallowly divided, lobes 

ca. 1 cm, apex acute ................................ 52b. var. gamblei 

1b. Blade shallowly lobed to distinctly divided. 

2a. Blade shallowly divided, lobes 

1–3 cm, apex acuminate ............... 52a. var. flaviflora 

2b. Blade distinctly divided, lobes 

1.5–5 cm, apex long acuminate ......... 52c. var. vivida 

52a. Begonia flaviflora var. flaviflora 

黄花秋海棠 ( 原变种 ) huang hua qiu hai tang (yuan bian 

zhong) 

Begonia laciniata Roxburgh subsp. flava (C. B. Clarke) 

Irmscher; B. laciniata var. flava C. B. Clarke. 

Blade shallowly divided, lobes 1–3 cm, apex acuminate. 

Fl. unknown. 

Forests, shaded moist environments; ca. 2600 m. Xizang 

(Nyalam) [NE India]. 

52b. Begonia flaviflora var. gamblei (Irmscher) Golding & 

Karegeannes, Phytologia 54: 496. 1984. 

浅裂黄花秋海棠 qian lie huang hua qiu hai tang 

Begonia laciniata subsp. gamblei Irmscher; B. palmata D. 

Don var. gamblei H. Hara. 

Blade shallowly divided, lobes ca. 1 cm, apex acute. Staminate 

flower: tepals yellow, ca. 1.5 cm, outside scabrous. 

Xizang [Bhutan, NE India]. 

52c. Begonia flaviflora var. vivida Golding & Karegeannes, 

Phytologia 54: 496. 1984. 

乳黄秋海棠 ru huang qiu hai tang 

Begonia laciniata subsp. flaviflora Irmscher. 

Blade distinctly divided, lobes 1.5–5 cm, apex long acuminate; 

tepals pilose outside. 

1600–2300 m. Yunnan (Bijiang, Gongshan) [Myanmar]. 

53. Begonia fordii Irmscher, Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot. Hamburg 10: 


西江秋海棠 xi jiang qiu hai tang 

Herbs, dwarf. Stem prostrate at base, ca. 13 cm tall, slender. 

Leaves cauline; stipules oblong or oblong-lanceolate, 4.5–8 

× 1.8–2 mm, membranous, margin and outside hairy, apex aristate; 

petiole 5–6 cm, densely brown hairy; blade oblong-ovate, 

asymmetric, 11.5–12.5 × 6–7.5 cm, thickly papery, abaxially 

densely villous on veins, adaxially sparsely hirsute, venation 

palmate-pinnate, 7-veined, base obliquely cordate, margin 

densely serrulate, apex shortly acuminate. Inflorescences with 

several flowers; peduncle pubescent; bracts oblong or linearlanceolate, 

3–6 mm, membranous, outside pilose, margin villous; 

staminate flowers: pedicel 1–1.5 cm; tepals 4, outer 2 

broadly ovate, 6–8 × 4.8–7 mm, abaxially hairy, inner 2 broadly 

elliptic, 5.6–7.5 × 3–4 mm, abaxially pilose; stamens numerous; 

filaments 1–1.5 mm, fused to ca. 1 mm below; anthers obovoidglobose, 

0.4–0.5 mm, apex emarginate. Pistillate flowers not 

seen. Capsule suborbicular, ca. 7 × 5 mm, pilose, 3-loculed; unequally 

3-winged; abaxial wing ca. 2.5 × 3 mm; lateral wings 

shorter; placentae axile, bilamellate. Fl. Aug. 

● Guangdong (Xinyi). 

This is a rarely collected species with very few specimens available 

for examination. 

54. Begonia formosana (Hayata) Masamune, J. Geobot. 9(3– 

4): frontis. pl. 41. 1961. 

水鸭脚 shui ya jiao 

Begonia laciniata Roxburgh var. formosana Hayata, J. 

Coll. Sci. Imp. Univ. Tokyo 30(1): 124. 1911; B. formosana f. 

albomaculata T. S. Liu & M. J. Lai; B. tarokoensis M. J. Lai. 

Herbs. Rhizomes elongate, to 1.9 cm in diam. Stems erect, 

35–95 cm tall, glabrous or subglabrous. Leaves basal and cauline; 

stipules caducous, ovate to very broadly ovate, to 2.5 × 1.8 

cm; petiole 7–43 cm, glabrous or subglabrous; blade ovate to 

broadly ovate, asymmetric, 9–25 × 11–29 cm, abaxially sparsely 

scaberulous, adaxially subglabrous, venation palmate, 7–11- 

veined, base oblique, cordate, margin irregularly denticulate, 

shallowly divided, apex acuminate. Inflorescences to 23 cm, 

subglabrous; peduncle 6–13 mm; bracts caducous, triangular or 

broadly ovate, to 2.1 × 1.5 cm, thickly papery. Staminate flowers: 

pedicel 8–14 mm; tepals 4, white to pinkish, glabrous, outer 

2 broadly obovate to orbicular, 1.2–2.6 × 1.1–2.5 cm, inner 2 

oblanceolate to narrowly obovate, 1.1–2.3 cm × 5–13 mm; stamens 

82–124; filaments 1.9–3.1 mm; anthers narrowly obovoid, 

1.8–2.2 mm. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 8–14 mm; tepals 

5 or 6(–10), unequal, narrowly obovate to very broadly obovate, 

largest 1.1–2.6 × 0.9–2.4 cm, smallest 1–2.3 cm × 5–11 

mm; ovary glabrous, 2-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; 

styles 2, fused at base; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule nodding, 

unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing triangular, 1–2.3 cm; 

lateral wings smaller. Fl. Jun–Oct, fr. Aug. 2n = 60, 64*. 

Forests, shaded moist environments; 700–900 m. Taiwan [Japan 

(Ryukyu Islands)].


55. Begonia forrestii Irmscher, Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot. Hamburg 

10: 548. 1939. 

陇川秋海棠 long chuan qiu hai tang 

Herbs, deciduous. Rhizomes elongate, moniliform, ca. 8 

mm in diam. Leaves basal; stipules caducous, broadly ovate to 

subtriangular, 6–7(–8) × 3–4.6 mm, glabrous, apex cuspidate; 

petiole (4–)10–15(–20) cm, densely villous; blade ovate to oval, 

asymmetric, 7–13 × 7–10(–14) cm, abaxially densely hirsute, 

adaxially sparsely hispidulous, venation palmate, 5-veined, base 

deeply cordate, margin irregularly serrulate, apex acute or obtuse, 

rarely rounded. Inflorescences 14–20 cm tall; bracts ovateoblong 

or oblong, 4–7 × 2.2–4.5 mm, margin glandular, apex 

obtuse. Staminate flowers: pedicel 1.1–2.1 cm; tepals 4, pink, 

outer 2 broadly ovate to orbicular, 1.4–2.3 × 1.2–1.9 cm, abaxially 

with long glandular hairs, inner 2 obovate to oval, 11–18 × 

9–13 mm; stamens numerous; filaments ca. 1.4 mm; anthers 

obovoid-globose, 1.3–1.7 mm. Pistillate flowers: pedicel to 1.8 

cm; tepals 5, pink, largest broadly elliptic to suborbicular, 1.2– 

1.8 × 1–1.6 cm, abaxially pubescent, smallest narrowly obovate 

to ovate, 1.3–2 × 0.9–1.2 cm; ovary sparsely villous, 2-loculed; 

placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 2, 4–6 mm, fused at base; 

stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule nodding, 8–10 mm, unequally 

3-winged; abaxial wing ligulate, 1.2–1.5 × 1.1–1.6 cm; lateral 

wings smaller. Fl. Apr–May, fr. Jul. 

● On rocks, in shaded moist environments, on mountain slopes or 

on rocky cliffs in valleys; 1200–2600 m. Yunnan (Longchuan, Tengchong, 

Yingjiang). 

56. Begonia gagnepainiana Irmscher, Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot. 

Hamburg 10: 538. 1939. 

昭通秋海棠 zhao tong qiu hai tang 


stipules ovate, 3.5–15 × 2.5–10 mm, glabrous, apex apiculate; 

petiole 2.5–10 cm, densely rusty villous; blade ovate, asymmetric, 

3.5–5 × 2.4–4 cm, abaxially sparsely setulose, adaxially 

brown hairy, venation palmate, 6-veined, base oblique, deeply 

cordate, margin irregularly serrulate, apex caudate. Inflorescences 

8–13.5 cm, glabrous; bracts ovate-oblong, 7–9 × 2.5–3 

mm, margin slightly ciliate, apex acute. Staminate flowers: 

pedicel 1.4–1.8 cm; tepals 4, outer 2 broadly ovate, nearly as 

long as wide, abaxially setose, inner 2 oblong-obovate, 8–9 × 

4–4.5 mm; stamens numerous; filaments ca. 2.1 mm; anthers 

obovoid, 1–1.2 mm. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 1–2.1 cm; tepals 

5, unequal, largest broadly ovate, nearly as long as wide, 5.8– 

8 × 5.8–8 mm, abaxially setose, smallest broadly elliptic to oblong-obovate, 

4.4–7 × 3.5–4.4 mm; ovary oblong, 3.5–4 × 

1.5–2 mm, sparsely long hairy, 2-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; 

styles 2, ca. 3.6 mm, fused to halfway. Capsule unequally 

3-winged. Fl. Jul–Aug. 

● NE Yunnan (Zhaotong). 

Only one gathering (the type) has been seen. This species is similar 

to Begonia smithiana but differs in having smaller, unlobed leaves. 

57. Begonia glechomifolia C. M. Hu ex C. Y. Wu & T. C. Ku, 

Acta Phytotax. Sin. 33: 255. 1995. 

金秀秋海棠 jin xiu qiu hai tang 

Herbs, deciduous. Tubers ca. 1.8 cm in diam. Stems 18– 

25 cm tall, glabrous or subglabrous. Leaves basal and cauline; 

stipules caducous; petiole 3–9 cm, glabrous or subglabrous; 

blade subreniform, nearly symmetric, 2.5–5.5 × 4–8.5 cm, both 

surfaces subglabrous, venation palmate, 5–7-veined, base cordate, 

margin remotely denticulate, apex rounded or acute. Inflorescences 

terminal, glabrous; peduncle 9–13 cm; bracts caducous. 

Staminate flowers: pedicel 1–1.3 cm; tepals 4, outer 2 

oblong or broadly ovate, ca. 1.2 × 1 cm, inner 2 obovate, ca. 7 × 

5 mm; stamens numerous; filaments free; anthers subglobose, 

ca. 0.8 mm. Pistillate flowers: tepals 3, outer 2 broadly ovate, 

ca. 8 × 8 mm, inner 1 oblong, 5–6 × ca. 4 mm; ovary oblong, 3- 

loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 3; stigmas spiraled. 

Capsule unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing falcate, ca. 9 × 0.6 

mm; lateral wings smaller, lunate, ca. 2 mm. Fl. Jun. 

● On rocks; ca. 3000 m. Guangxi (Jinxiu, Xiangzhou). 

58. Begonia grandis Dryander, Trans. Linn. Soc. London 1: 

163. 1791. 

秋海棠 qiu hai tang 

Herbs, deciduous. Tubers subglobose, 8–12 mm in diam. 

Stems 28–60 cm tall, subglabrous. Leaves cauline; stipules caducous, 

oblong to lanceolate, ca. 10 × 2–4 mm, membranous, 

margin entire, apex acuminate; petiole 4–20 cm, subglabrous; 

blade broadly ovate, asymmetric, 10–20 × 7–14 cm, venation 

palmate, 7(–9)-veined, base obliquely cordate, margin irregularly 

serrulate, apex acuminate to long acuminate. Inflorescences 

terminal and axillary, 7–16 cm tall, glabrous, terminal inflorescence 

racemose at base, axillary inflorescence cymose; bracts 

caducous, oblate to oblong, 5–13 × 2–17 mm, margin entire, 

apex obtuse. Staminate flowers: pedicel 0.8–2.2 cm; tepals 4, 

white to pink, glabrous, outer 2 broadly ovate or suborbicular, 

1.1–1.7 × 1–1.7 cm, inner 2 obovate to obovate-oblong, 7–11 × 

3–9 mm; stamens 28–140; filaments to 6.1 mm; anthers obovoid, 

0.8–1.1 mm, apex emarginate. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 

2.5–5 cm; tepals 3, white to pink, glabrous; outer 2 suborbicular 

or oblate-orbicular, ca. 1.2 × 1.2 cm, inner 1 obovate, ca. 8 × 

6 mm; ovary glabrous, 3-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; 

styles fused at base or free; stigmas 2-cleft or U-shaped, 

spiraled or not. Capsule pendulous, oblong, 10–12 × ca. 7 mm, 

unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing oblong or triangularly oblong, 

ca. 1.8 cm; lateral wings narrowly triangular, or all wings 

narrowly triangular. Fl. Jul, fr. Aug. 2n = 26*. 

● Forests, evergreen broad-leaved forests on montane slopes, 

streamsides in dense valley forests, moist rocky cliffs of valleys, wet 

fissures of limestone rocks, on rocks in shaded moist environments, on 

slopes, in valleys, or by streams; 100–3400 m. Anhui, Fujian, S Gansu, 

Guangxi, Guizhou, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, 

Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang. 

1a. Styles free, not branched; stigma apical 

or reniform; filaments connate not 

beyond 1 mm ..................................... 58c. subsp. holostyla 

1b. Styles connate at base or slightly connate, 

branched; stigma spirally tortuous, 

U-shaped; stamens more numerous, 

filaments connate to or beyond 2 mm 

above base.

176 


2a. Stem weak; leaf blade abaxially 

pale, occasionally reddish, 

elliptic-ovate to triangular-ovate, 

5–12(–20) × 3.5–9(–13) cm; 

filaments connate for less than 

2 mm ........................................... 58b. subsp. sinensis 

2b. Stem stout; leaf blade abaxially red 

or at least red on veins, ovate to broadly 

so, larger than above; filaments 

connate beyond 2 mm ................. 58a. subsp. grandis 

58a. Begonia grandis subsp. grandis 

秋海棠 ( 原亚种 ) qiu hai tang (yuan ya zhong) 

Begonia discolor R. Brown; B. erubescens H. Léveillé; B. 

evansiana C. Andrews; B. grandis subsp. evansiana (C. Andrews) 

Irmscher. 

Stem stout. Leaf blade abaxially red or at least red on veins, 

ovate to broadly so, larger. Filaments connate beyond 2 mm. 

Capsule with evident, narrow, triangular wings. 

● Streamsides in dense valley forests, moist rocky cliffs of valleys, 

on rocks by streams; 100–1100 m. Anhui, Fujian, Guangxi, Guizhou, 

Hebei, Henan, Hunan, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, 

Zhejiang. 

Begonia grandis var. unialata Irmscher (Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot. 

Hamburg 10: 493. 1939) differs in having a capsule with 1 large wing, 

and the other 2 wings very narrow or nearly absent. 

58b. Begonia grandis subsp. sinensis (A. Candolle) Irmscher, 

Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot. Hamburg 10: 494. 1939. 

中华秋海棠 zhong hua qiu hai tang 

Begonia sinensis A. Candolle, Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot., sér. 4, 

11: 125. 1859; B. bulbosa H. Léveillé; B. martini H. Léveillé. 

Stem 20–40 cm tall, weak, usually not branched. Leaf blade 

abaxially pale, occasionally reddish, elliptic-ovate or triangularovate, 

5–12(–20) × 3.5–9(–13) cm, both surfaces glabrous or 

subglabrous. Filaments connate for less than 2 mm. Styles connate 

or slightly connate at base, branched; stigma spirally tortuous, 

rarely U-shaped. 

● Forests, on limestone rocks in shaded moist environments, on 

slopes, or in valleys; 300–3400 m. Fujian, S Gansu, Guangxi, Guizhou, 

Hebei, Henan, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, E Sichuan, Yunnan, 

Zhejiang. 

Begonia grandis var. puberula Irmscher (Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot. 

Hamburg 10: 496. 1939) differs in having a leaf blade adaxially densely 

hispidulous (hairs ca. 0.3 mm) and sparsely hirsute (hairs 0.8–0.9 mm), 

while var. villosa T. C. Ku (Fl. Reipubl. Popularis Sin. 52(1): 166. 1999) 

differs in having a leaf blade adaxially slightly floccose. 

58c. Begonia grandis subsp. holostyla Irmscher, Mitt. Inst. Allg. 

Bot. Hamburg 10: 498. 1939. 

全柱秋海棠 quan zhu qiu hai tang 

Stem (12–)20–40(–60) cm tall, weak, usually not branched. 

Leaf blade triangular-ovate, 3–13 × 2–10 cm. Styles free, 

not branched; stigmas capitate or reniform. Fl. Jul–Aug, fr. Sep– 

Oct. 

● Evergreen broad-leaved forests on montane slopes, on shaded 

moist rocks of shrubberies, wet fissures of limestone rocks, moist places 

by rocks; 2200–2800 m. Sichuan (Muli), Yunnan. 

59. Begonia guangxiensis C. Y. Wu, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 35: 45. 

1997. 

广西秋海棠 guang xi qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes creeping, stout, 1.3–2 cm 

in diam. Leaves all basal; stipules caducous; petiole 10–22 cm, 

villous; blade obliquely broadly ovate or suborbicular in outline, 

10–33 × 8–24 cm, papery, both surfaces villous-hirsute, 

basally 6- or 7-veined, tertiary veins weakly percurrent and 

reticulate, base deeply cordate, margin unequally shallowly dentate 

or denticulate, sometimes 3–5 shallowly sharply lobed, 

apex acuminate, often white-tipped. Inflorescences axillary; 

peduncle 10–35 cm, villous; flowers 5–20 in a dichasial cyme; 

bracts ovate, broadly ovate, or triangular-lanceolate, 2–9 × 1.7– 

6 mm. Staminate flowers: pedicel 1–1.5 cm; tepals 4, outer 2 

broadly ovate or suborbicular, ca. 1.7 × 2 mm, abaxially pilose, 

inner 2 obovate or elliptic, ca. 12 × 6–7 mm; androecium nearly 

actinomorphic; stamens numerous; filaments fused at base, 

anthers obovoid, apex truncate. Pistillate flowers: pedicel ca. 

3 cm; tepals 3; styles 3; ovary villous, 1-loculed with parietal 

placentation. Capsule nodding, ovoid-oblong, 1.5–2.1 × 1– 

1.4 cm, hairy, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing obliquely 

lunate, other 2 narrow, lunate, hispidulous. Fl. Jan–Mar, fr. 

Mar–May. 

● Limestone hills, on moist rocky slopes, forest understories, in 

caverns; 200–300 m. Guangxi (Du’an, Yishan). 

60. Begonia guishanensis S. H. Huang & Y. M. Shui, Acta Bot. 

Yunnan. 16: 336. 1994. 

圭山秋海棠 gui shan qiu hai tang 

Begonia rhodophylla C. Y. Wu. 

Herbs. Rhizome 1–1.5 cm in diam. Stems 3–5 cm tall, 1–2 

mm in diam. Leaves solitary or binary, basal; stipules caducous; 

petiole 7–20 cm, densely villous when young; blade asymmetric, 

narrowly ovate or ovate-oblong, 7–16.5 × 5.4–12.5 cm, 

abaxially setulose, adaxially sparsely setulose, venation palmate, 

6- or 7-veined, base oblique, margin irregularly sharply 

serrate and irregularly shallowly lobed; lobes 5–7, apex acuminate. 

Inflorescence 11–15 cm tall, villous when young; pedicel 

0.8–1.8 cm; bracts oblong, ca. 8 × 5 mm, abaxially pubescent, 

margin serrate, apex acute. Staminate flowers: tepals 4, 

outer 2 larger, broadly ovate, 8–10 × 5–6 mm, abaxially villous, 

inner 2 smaller, oblong, ca. 5 × 1.5 mm; stamens numerous; 

filaments free; anthers oblong or obovate-oblong, ca. 1 mm. Pistillate 

flowers: tepals 3(or 4), outer 2 broadly ovate, 8–9 × 6–7 

mm, inner 1 oblong, 5–6 × 2.5–3 mm; ovary villous, unequally 

3-winged, 3-loculed; placentae bilamellate; styles 3, free, ca. 2 

mm; stigmas globose. Capsule unequally 3-winged; abaxial 

wing falcate, ca. 2.3 × 0.8 cm; lateral wings smaller. Fl. Aug– 

Sep, fr. Sep. 

● Mixed forests on limestone hills; 1800–2000 m. Yunnan 

(Lunan). 

This species is similar to Begonia labordei but can be distinguished 

by the shallowly lobed leaves.


61. Begonia gulinqingensis S. H. Huang & Y. M. Shui, Acta 

Bot. Yunnan. 16: 334. 1994. 

古林箐秋海棠 gu lin qing qiu hai tang 

Begonia brevicaulis T. C. Ku (1997), not A. Candolle 

(1859); B. sinobrevicaulis T. C. Ku. 

Herbs. Rhizomes elongate, 4–6 mm in diam., red hairy. 

Leaves basal; stipules triangular-lanceolate, ca. 1.2 × 6 mm, margin 

ciliate, apex acuminate; petiole 5.5–15 cm, red hairy; blade 

sometimes with several pale greenish spots adaxially, suborbicular, 

asymmetric, 5–7 × 6–7.5 cm, abaxially sparsely hirsute, 

adaxially sparsely hispidulous, venation palmate, 7-veined, base 

obliquely cordate, margin crenulate, apex rounded. Inflorescences 

hairy; peduncle ca. 2.1 cm. Staminate flowers: pedicel 

ca. 3.5 cm; tepals 4, pink, outer 2 suborbicular, ca. 1.8 cm, glabrous; 

stamens numerous; filaments ca. 1.5 mm, fused at base; 

anthers obovoid, apex rounded. Pistillate flowers: pedicel ca. 1 

cm; ovary hairy, 3-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; tepals 

5; styles 3; stigmas 2-cleft. Capsule nodding, obovoid, ca. 1 × 

0.8 cm, sparsely hairy, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing triangular, 

ca. 4 × 6 mm; lateral wings ca. 2.5 mm. Fl. Jun, fr. Jul. 

● Forests, near summits; 1600–1900 m. Yunnan (Maguan). 

62. Begonia gungshanensis C. Y. Wu, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 33: 

270. 1995. 

贡山秋海棠 gong shan qiu hai tang 

Herbs. Rhizomes moniliform, short, stout. Stems erect, to 

90 cm, glabrous or subglabrous. Leaves cauline; stipules caducous, 

lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, 5–8 × ca. 5 mm, membranous, 

apex acuminate; petiole 1.5–3 cm, pubescent; blade 

falcate or narrowly lanceolate, asymmetric, 8–14 × 2.5–3.8 cm, 

abaxially pubescent, adaxially sparsely hispidulous, venation 

palmate-pinnate, base obliquely cordate, margin bidentate, very 

shallowly lobed, apex long acuminate or long caudate. Inflorescences 

glabrous, with 2–4(or 5) flowers; peduncle 4–5(–6) 

cm; bracts ovate or oblong, 8–13 × ca. 5 mm, apex acuminate. 

Staminate flowers: pedicel 1–1.5(–2) cm; tepals 4, pink, outer 2 

broadly ovate, ca. 10 × 9 mm, abaxially villous, inner 2 elliptic, 

ca. 8 × 4 mm; stamens numerous; filaments free, 0.8–1 mm; 

anthers obovoid, ca. 1 mm. Pistillate flowers not seen. Capsule 

ellipsoid or obovoid-oblong, 5–6 mm, glabrous, 2-loculed; placentae 

axile, bilamellate; unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing falcate, 

1.8–2 × ca. 1.2 cm, apex rounded; lateral wings triangular, 

5–10 mm. Fl. Aug, fr. Dec. 

● Evergreen broad-leaved forests and scrubby vegetation, by 

streams in valleys; 1400–2000 m. NW Yunnan (Gongshan). 

This species is similar to Begonia clavicaulis but differs by its 

bidentate leaf margin and the 2-loculed ovary. 

63. Begonia hainanensis Chun & F. Chun, Sunyatsenia 4: 20. 

1939. 

海南秋海棠 hai nan qiu hai tang 

Herbs, prostrate. Stems 12–30 cm, 3–4 mm in diam., appressed 

hairy. Leaves cauline; stipules oblong-lanceolate, 7–13 

× 2–3 mm, abaxially hairy, margin denticulate, apex acuminate; 

petiole 2–4 cm, appressed hairy; blade abaxially red on 

veins, adaxially dark green, elliptic-oblong, slightly asymmetric, 

5–10 × 2–4 cm, abaxially sparsely brown hirsute and pale papillose, 

adaxially glabrous or subglabrous, venation palmatepinnate, 

5(–7)-veined, base slightly oblique, rounded, margin 

remotely denticulate, apex acuminate. Inflorescences terminal 

and axillary, subglabrous; staminate inflorescences terminal and 

axillary, cymose; pistillate inflorescences axillary, always below 

staminate inflorescences, solitary or binary; bracts narrowly 

obovate, 3–10 mm, glabrous, margin minutely denticulate, apex 

obtuse to acute. Staminate flowers: pedicel 1.2–1.7 cm; tepals 

4, white, with reddish veins, glabrous, outer 2 elliptic, 10–11 × 

8–9 mm, inner 2 narrowly oblong, 7–8 × ca. 2 mm; stamens 

25–30; filaments fused below. Pistillate flowers: pedicel ca. 8 

mm, bracteole 1, margin denticulate, apex acute; tepals 5, glabrous, 

unequal, largest white, with reddish veins, broadly elliptic, 

9–12 × 7–8 mm, smallest nearly white, narrowly oblong, 9– 

10 × 3–4 mm; ovary glabrous, 3-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; 

styles 3, 2–4 mm, fused at base; stigmas 2-cleft, 

spiraled. Capsule pendulous, ovoid-oblong, to 1.4 cm, equally 

3-winged; wings triangular, 1.1–1.5 cm. Fl. Apr. 

● Forests, on mossy rocks along streams; ca. 1000 m. Hainan 

(Baoting, Lingshui). 

64. Begonia handelii Irmscher, Anz. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Math.- 

Naturwiss. Kl. 58: 24. 1921. 

香花秋海棠 xiang hua qiu hai tang 

Herbs, dioecious. Rhizomes prostrate, 8–19 mm in diam. 

Leaves on rhizome; stipules caducous, narrowly triangular to 

ovate, 15–28 × 9–10 mm, membranous, apex acuminate or 

cuspidate; petiole 13–38 cm, sparsely hairy to glabrous; blade 

broadly ovate to ovate, asymmetric, 8–29 × 6–18 cm, both surfaces 

glabrous, subglabrous, or red pilose, venation palmatepinnate, 

7–9-veined, base obliquely cordate, margin irregularly 

denticulate, apex acute or acuminate. Inflorescences reduced, 

glabrous to pilose; staminate inflorescences erect, with numerous 

flowers; pistillate inflorescences pendulous, 2–4-flowered; 

bracts caducous, ovate-lanceolate, 8–15(–20) × 5–9 mm, margin 

entire, apex acuminate. Flowers fragrant, white to pink; staminate 

flowers: pedicel 2–4.5 cm; tepals 4, outer 2 ovate, (0.8–)3– 

5.5(–6.5) × 1.8–2.7 cm, apex acute or obtuse, inner 2 narrowly 

oblong or linear, 1.8–11 cm × 5–24 mm, apex obtuse; stamens 

more than 100; filaments 2–4.1 mm, free; anthers oblong, 2–3.1 

mm, apex rounded. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 2–3 cm; tepals 4, 

outer 2 elliptic, 2.1–3 × 1.8–2.1 cm, apex rounded, inner 2 narrowly 

oblong or linear, 6–15 × 1.9–8 mm, apex rounded; ovary 

obovoid, hairy or glabrous, 4(–8)-loculed; placentae axile, forked 

once or twice; styles 4, 5.1–7.2 mm, forked once or twice; stigmas 

2-cleft, spiraled. Fruit pendulous, wingless or 4(–8)-horned. 

Fl. Jan. 2n = 66*. 

Forests, variable vegetation, shaded moist environments; 100– 

1500 m. Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Yunnan [Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, 

Vietnam]. 

1a. Outer tepals of staminate flowers 0.8–2 

cm, apex rounded .................................. 64c. var. prostrata 

1b. Outer tepals of staminate flowers 3–6.5 

cm, apex usually acute. 

2a. Outer tepals of staminate flowers and 

ovary glabrous or subglabrous ....... 64a. var. handelii 

2b. Outer tepals of staminate flowers 

and ovary red pilose ................. 64b. var. rubropilosa

178 


64a. Begonia handelii var. handelii 

香花秋海棠 ( 原变种 ) xiang hua qiu hai tang (yuan bian 

zhong) 

Outer tepals of staminate flowers 3–6.5 cm, glabrous or 

subglabrous, apex usually acute. Ovary glabrous or subglabrous. 

Variable vegetation, shaded moist environments; 100–900 m. 

Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Yunnan [Myanmar, Vietnam]. 

64b. Begonia handelii var. rubropilosa (S. H. Huang & Y. M. 

Shui) C. I Peng, comb. nov. 

红毛香花秋海棠 hong mao xiang hua qiu hai tang 

Basionym: Begonia balansana Gagnepain var. rubropilosa 

S. H. Huang & Y. M. Shui, Acta Bot. Yunnan. 21: 12. 

1999. 

Outer tepals of staminate flowers 3–6.5 cm, red pilose, apex 

usually acute. Ovary red pilose. 

● Forests, shaded moist enviroments; ca. 1400 m. Yunnan (Pingbian). 

64c. Begonia handelii var. prostrata (Irmscher) Tebbitt, Edinburgh 

J. Bot. 60: 6. 2003. 

铺地秋海棠 pu di qiu hai tang 

Begonia prostrata Irmscher, Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot. Hamburg 

10: 516. 1939; B. chuniana C. Y. Wu; B. xinyiensis T. C. 

Ku (1995), not B. xingyiensis T. C. Ku (1995). 

Outer tepals of staminate flowers 0.8–2 cm, apex rounded. 

Fl. May, fr. Jun. 

Forests, shaded moist enviroments; 100–1500 m. Guangdong, 

Guangxi, Yunnan [Laos, Thailand, Vietnam]. 

65. Begonia hatacoa Buchanan-Hamilton ex D. Don, Prodr. Fl. 

Nepal. 223. 1825. 

墨脱秋海棠 mo tuo qiu hai tang 

Herbs, 30–65 cm tall. Rhizome not seen. Stem branching 

twice or more. Leaves cauline; stipules lanceolate, 6–10 mm, 

membranous, apex acuminate; petiole 8–24 mm, densely brown 

hirsute; blade ovate-lanceolate to elliptic-lanceolate, asymmetric, 

6–9.6 × 2.1–3.2 cm, abaxially brown pubescent, adaxially 

glabrous or subglabrous, venation palmate-pinnate, 5–7- 

veined, base slightly oblique, rounded or slightly cordate, margin 

remotely serrulate, apex long acuminate to caudate. Inflorescences 

glabrous; peduncle 2–3.1 cm; bracts narrowly elliptic 

to lanceolate, 5–8 × 1.5–3.5 mm, membranous, abaxially brown 

hirsute when young, apex acuminate. Staminate flowers: pedicel 

5–10 mm; tepals 4, outer 2 triangular-ovate, ca. 5 × 3.5 mm, 

glabrous, inner 2 oblong, ca. 4 × 1.5 mm; stamens numerous; 

filaments free, ca. 1.5 mm; anthers reniform, ca. 0.8 mm. Pistillate 

flowers: tepals 5, unequal, largest broadly ovate, ca. 7 × 4 

mm, glabrous, smallest oblong or lanceolate, 6–7 × 1.5–2 mm; 

ovary glabrous, 2-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 

2, fused at base; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule pendulous, 

oblong, ca. 14 × 8 mm, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing 

broadly falcate, 1.5–2 cm × 6–9 mm, apex rounded; lateral 

wings smaller, ca. 4 mm. Fl. Oct–Nov, fr. Dec–Jan. 

Evergreen broad-leaved forests, on rocks in shaded moist environments 

on slopes or by streams; 1200–1500 m. SE Xizang (Mêdog) 

[Bhutan, N India, Nepal]. 

66. Begonia hekouensis S. H. Huang, Acta Bot. Yunnan. 21: 


河口秋海棠 he kou qiu hai tang 

Begonia gesnerioides S. H. Huang & Y. M. Shui, Acta 

Bot. Yunnan. 16: 341. 1994, not L. B. Smith & B. G. Schubert 

(1941). 

Herbs, to 30 cm tall. Rhizomes ca. 9 mm in diam. Stems 

brown appressed hairy. Leaves basal and cauline; stipules caducous; 

petiole 22–24 cm, brown appressed hairy; blade ovate or 

broadly elliptic, slightly asymmetric, ca. 14.5 × 2.5 cm, abaxially 

brown appressed hairy, adaxially hispidulous, base nearly 

rounded or very shallowly cordate, margin irregularly denticulate, 

apex acuminate. Inflorescences hairy; peduncle 2.3–5 cm; 

bracts lanceolate to triangular-lanceolate, 5–6 mm, margin ciliate, 

apex acuminate. Staminate flowers: pedicel ca. 1.3 cm; 

tepals 4, orange-red, outer 2 broadly ovate, ca. 13 × 8 mm, villous, 

inner 2 elliptic, ca. 8 × 5 mm; stamens numerous; filaments 

ca. 1 mm; anthers oblong, ca. 1 mm. Pistillate flowers: 

pedicel ca. 1.5 cm; tepals 5, unequal, largest broadly ovate, 1.3– 

1.5 × 6–8 mm, outside purplish brown villous; ovary densely 

purplish brown villous, 2-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; 

styles 2, fused at base; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule nodding, 

ovoid-oblong, ca. 12 × 6–8 mm, unequally 3-winged; 

abaxial wing ligulate, ca. 1.5 × 1.2 cm; lateral wings triangular, 

ca. 6 × 12 mm, purplish brown villous. Fl. Jul–Sep, fr. Sep–Oct. 

● Forest understories; 200–500 m. Yunnan (Hekou). 

67. Begonia hemsleyana J. D. Hooker, Bot. Mag. 125: t. 7685. 

1899. 

掌叶秋海棠 zhang ye qiu hai tang 

Herbs, 30–80 cm tall. Rhizomes short, stout, 3–11 mm in 

diam. Stems hairy. Leaves cauline, or basal and cauline; stipules 

ovate-lanceolate, 5–21 × 4–10 mm, abaxially hispidulous, 

apex acuminate and cuspidate; petiole 8–14 cm, sparsely hispidulous, 

subglabrous, or glabrous; blade palmately compound, 

leaflets 7(or 8), oblong-lanceolate or obovate-lanceolate 6–12 × 

1.9–4 cm, abaxially sparsely hirsute, adaxially sparsely hirsute, 

base cuneate or broadly cuneate, margin remotely serrulate, 

apex acuminate or long caudate-acuminate. Inflorescences 3–18 

cm, subglabrous; peduncle 4–7.5 cm; bracts lanceolate, 1.3–1.7 

cm, outside and margin hairy, apex acuminate and cuspidate. 

Staminate flowers: pedicel 8–32 mm; tepals 4, pink, outer 2 

broadly ovate or suborbicular, 1–1.8 × 0.8–1.7 cm, abaxially 

villous, inner 2 ovate, 5–16 × 4–12 mm; stamens numerous; 

filaments ca. 5 mm; anthers ovoid-globose, ca. 8 mm. Pistillate 

flowers: tepals 5, unequal, largest broadly ovate, 9–11 × 9–11 

mm, abaxially villous, smallest orbicular, 9–12 × 8–11 mm; 

ovary glabrous, 2-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 2, 

ca. 4.1 mm, fused at base; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule 

nodding, obovoid-globose or ellipsoid, 10–13 × 5–7 mm, unequally 

3-winged; abaxial wing falcate, 1.5–2.1 cm, apex 

rounded; lateral wings ca. 3 mm. Fl. Dec, fr. Jun. 2n = 20, 22*.


Forests, valleys, shaded moist environments; 1000–1300 m. 

Guangxi, SE Yunnan [Vietnam]. 

1a. Leaves cauline; petiole hairy or 

subglabrous; leaflets with distinct 

petiolules ........................................... 67a. var. hemsleyana 

1b. Leaves basal and cauline; petiole 

glabrous; leaflets attenuate toward 

base ................................................. 67b. var. kwangsiensis 

67a. Begonia hemsleyana var. hemsleyana 

掌叶秋海棠 ( 原变种 ) zhang ye qiu hai tang (yuan bian zhong) 

Leaves cauline; petiole hairy or subglabrous; leaflets with 

distinct petiolules. 

Forests, shaded moist environments; 1000–1300 m. SW Guangxi, 

SE Yunnan [Vietnam]. 

67b. Begonia hemsleyana var. kwangsiensis Irmscher, Mitt. 

Inst. Allg. Bot. Hamburg 10: 538. 1939. 

广西掌叶秋海棠 guang xi zhang ye qiu hai tang 

Leaves basal and cauline; petiole glabrous; leaflets attenuate 

toward base. 

● Valleys; 1200–1300 m. Guangxi (Lingyun). 

This is an imperfectly known taxon represented only by the type 

gathering made in 1928. 

68. Begonia henryi Hemsley, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 23: 322. 1887. 

独牛 du niu 

Begonia delavayi Gagnepain; B. mairei H. Léveillé. 

Herbs, deciduous. Tubers 8–10 mm in diam. Leaves 1(or 

2), basal; stipules ovate-lanceolate, membranous, margin ciliate, 

caducous; petiole 6–13 cm, brown villous; blade triangularovate 

or broadly ovate, rarely suborbicular, 3.5–6 × 4–7.5 cm, 

sparsely pubescent, venation palmate, base oblique, deeply cordate, 

margin crenate, apex obtuse, acute, or shortly acuminate. 

Inflorescence terminal, 7.5–12 cm tall, pilose or subglabrous, 

with very few flowers; bracts oblong or elliptic, ca. 5 × 4 mm, 

membranous, margin serrate, apex acute. Staminate flowers: 

pedicel ca. 1 cm; tepals 2, pink, oblate-orbicular or broadly 

ovate, 8–12 × 10–13 mm, glabrous; stamens numerous; filaments 

free, 1.2–1.5 cm; anthers obovoid, ca. 1.2 mm, apex 

emarginate. Pistillate flowers: tepals 2, oblate, 6–8 × 7–8 mm; 

glabrous; ovary glabrous, 3-loculed; placentae axile, undivided; 

styles 3; stigmas 2-cleft. Capsule pendulous, oblong, ca. 11 × 5 

mm, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing triangular, 5–7 mm; 

lateral wings smaller. Fl. Sep–Oct, fr. Oct. 2n = 30*. 

● On rocks or in fissures, shaded moist environments; 800–2600 

m. N Guangxi, SE Guizhou, Hubei (Yichang), Sichuan, Yunnan. 

69. Begonia hongkongensis F. W. Xing, Ann. Bot. Fenn. 42: 


香港秋海棠 xiang gang qiu hai tang 

Herbs. Rhizomes ca. 3 mm in diam. Stems 10.3–21 cm. 

Leaves basal and cauline; stipules lanceolate, 1–2 cm, membranous; 

petiole 5.2–9.4 cm, apex sparsely shortly hairy; blade 

oblong-ovate to rhombic-ovate, slightly asymmetric, 7–13.6 × 

2.3–4.5 cm, abaxially sparsely shortly hairy, adaxially glabrous, 

venation palmate-pinnate, 5- or 6-veined, base slightly oblique, 

cuneate to broadly cuneate, margin irregularly and remotely serrate, 

very shallowly lobed, apex acuminate to caudate. Inflorescences 

glabrous; peduncle ca. 5 cm; bracts lanceolate, ca. 8.5 × 

3 mm, membranous, glabrous, apex aristate. Staminate flowers: 

pedicel 7–14 cm; tepals 4, white, outer 2 broadly ovate or oblong, 

ca. 10 × 9 mm, glabrous, inner 2 ovate, ca. 8 × 4 mm; stamens 

numerous; filaments entirely fused, 1.1–1.4 mm; anthers 

oblong or obovoid, 1–1.3 mm. Pistillate flowers: pedicel pale 

pinkish, 2–2.5 cm; tepals 5, white, 0.7–1.2 × 0.6–1.2 cm, glabrous; 

ovary ovoid, glabrous, 2-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; 

styles 2, ca. 3 mm, free; stigmas spiraled. Capsule nodding, 

1.8–2.9 cm, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing ligulate, ca. 

2.8 × 1.6 cm, apex obtuse; lateral wings smaller. Fl. Jul–Sep, fr. 

Oct–Dec. 

● Evergreen secondary forests, on moist rocks by streams in 

ravines; 100–400 m. Hong Kong. 

Begonia hongkongensis is similar to B. tsoongii, which is known 

only by the type gathering made in 1916 from S Guangxi. It differs 

from the latter by having cauline leaves, leaf blade margin very shallowly 

lobed, irregularly and remotely serrate, and apex acuminate to 

caudate. 

70. Begonia howii Merrill & Chun, Sunyatsenia 5: 138. 1940. 

侯氏秋海棠 hou shi qiu hai tang 

Herbs, erect, 17–25 cm tall. Rhizomes elongate, 7–10 mm 

in diam. Leaves basal and cauline; stipules ovate-lanceolate, ca. 

5 mm, glabrous, apex acuminate; petiole 3–19 cm, glabrous; 

blade obliquely ovate to broadly ovate, asymmetric, 7.5–16 × 

5–10 cm, both surfaces glabrous, venation palmate, 6-veined, 

base truncate to slightly cordate, margin irregularly serrulate, 

apex acuminate or shortly caudate. Inflorescences glabrous; peduncle 

1.5–1.8 cm; bracts oblong or oblong-ovate, 8–12 mm, 

glabrous, apex obtuse or acute. Staminate flowers: pedicel 1.2– 

1.5(–2) cm; tepals 4, glabrous, outer 2 ovate-oblong, 1.5–1.6 × 

ca. 1.3 cm, inner 2 oblong, 9–11 × ca. 5 mm; stamens numerous; 

filaments 1–1.5 mm; anthers oblong or obovoid-oblong, 

ca. 1.2 mm. Pistillate flowers: tepals unknown; ovary obovoidoblong, 

ca. 1 cm × 6–7 mm, glabrous, 2-loculed; placentae 

axile, bilamellate; tepals 5; styles 2, free; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. 

Capsule nodding, unequally 3-winged. Fl. Jun–Jul. 

● Forests, on rocks in valleys; 600–700 m. Hainan (Baoting, 

Wanning). 

71. Begonia huangii Y. M. Shui & W. H. Chen, Acta Bot. Yunnan. 

27: 365. 2005. 

黄氏秋海棠 huang shi qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes 6–10 cm, 4–5.5 mm in 

diam.; internodes 3–7 mm. Leaves all basal; stipules mostly 

persistent, ovate-triangular, 5–8 × 4–6 mm; petiole 8.5–20 cm, 

hirsute-villous; blade adaxially with white patches between 

veins, oblique, suborbicular or very broadly ovate, 8–15 × 7– 

11.5 cm, papery, abaxially densely pilose, adaxially moderately 

pilose (hairs 1–1.8 mm), basally 6- or 7-veined, tertiary veins 

percurrent and reticulate, base deeply cordate, margin irregularly 

denticulate and ciliate, apex acute or shortly acuminate.

180 


Inflorescences 6- or 7-flowered; peduncle 4.5–5.6 cm, glabrous; 

bracts caducous, broadly ovate. Staminate flowers: pedicel 6– 

10 mm; tepals 4, white or red, outer 2 ovate or broadly so, 8–11 

× 7–9 mm, glabrous, inner 2 obovate-oblong, ca. 12 × 6 mm, 

glabrous; stamens ca. 30; filaments 1–1.5 mm, fused at base, 

anthers obovoid to oblong, 0.8–1.1 × 0.4–0.5 mm. Pistillate flowers: 

pedicel 5.5–8 mm; tepals 3; ovary glabrous, 1-loculed 

with parietal placentation; styles 3, 1.4–2 mm, free, caducous in 

fruit, stigmas U-shaped. Capsule nodding, ellipsoid, 1–1.1 × ca. 

0.8 cm, glabrous, subequally 3-winged; abaxial wing lunate, ca. 

3 mm; lateral wings smaller. Fl. Aug–Nov, fr. Oct. 

● On rocks in limestone forests; (300–)700–1000 m. Yunnan (Gejiu, 

Pingbian). 

72. Begonia hymenocarpa C. Y. Wu, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 33: 

256. 1995. 

膜果秋海棠 mo guo qiu hai tang 

Herbs, slender. Rhizomes poorly developed, 4–6 mm in 

diam. Stems erect, 25–50 cm tall, subglabrous. Leaves cauline; 

stipules membranous, caducous; petiole 3.5–8 cm, glabrous; 

blade narrowly ovate, asymmetric, 6–11 × 4.5–7 cm, membranous, 

sparsely hispidulous, venation palmate, 5-veined, base cordate, 

margin irregularly denticulate, apex shortly acuminate to 

shortly caudate. Inflorescences terminal or axillary, glabrous; 

bracts ovate-lanceolate, ca. 1.8 mm, margin ciliate. Staminate 

flowers: pedicel 4–7 mm; tepals 4, pink, abaxially hairy, outer 2 

larger, broadly ovate, 8–9 × 10–12 mm, inner 2 smaller, ovate, 

5–6 × 3–4 mm; stamens numerous; filaments 1.1–1.5 mm, free; 

anthers oblong, 0.9–1 mm. Pistillate flowers: tepals 5, unequal, 

glabrous or abaxially hairy; ovary glabrous, 3-loculed; placentae 

axile, bilamellate; styles 3, free; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. 

Capsule pendulous, ca. 1.4 cm, unequally 3-winged; abaxial 

wing ca. 6 × 5 mm; lateral wings smaller. Fl. Jul–Aug, fr. Sep. 

● Forest margins, shaded moist environments; 500–700 m. Guangxi 

(Damiao Shan, Dayao Shan). 

73. Begonia imitans Irmscher, Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot. Hamburg 

10: 511. 1939. 

鸡爪秋海棠 ji zhua qiu hai tang 

Herbs, deciduous. Tubers globose, 1.1–1.9 cm in diam. 

Leaves usually 1 or 2, basal; stipules caducous, ovate or oblong, 

3–5 × 1.4–1.8 mm, abaxially pilose, apex acuminate; petiole 

12–21 cm, brown villous; blade suborbicular, asymmetric, 9–12 

× 8.5–1.9 cm, abaxially pilose, adaxially reddish hairy, venation 

palmate, 5–7-veined, base oblique, cordate, margin incised-serrate, 

divided to 1/2 of leaf length; lobes 5–7, apex acuminate. 

Inflorescences 15–31 cm tall, pilose when young; bracts caducous, 

ovate-oblong, ca. 8 mm, membranous, margin ciliate, apex 

acuminate. Staminate flowers: pedicel 1.3–1.5 cm; tepals 4, 

outer 2 broadly ovate, 9–11 × 8–10 mm, abaxially hairy, inner 1 

obovate, 6.5–7.5 × ca. 3.5 mm; stamens numerous; filaments 1– 

1.3 mm, free; anthers obovoid, apex emarginate. Pistillate flowers: 

pedicel 1.2–1.8 cm; tepals 3, outer 2 broadly ovate or suborbicular, 

ca. 8 × 6–7 mm, abaxially hairy, inner 1 oblong, ca. 5 

mm; ovary oblong, 8–10 × 7–8 mm, glabrous, unequally 3- 

winged, 3-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 3, free; 

stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule unknown. Fl. Jun–Jul. 

● Moist shaded places in dense forests on slopes; 1300–1400 m. 

Sichuan (Hongxi, Kangding). 

This species is similar to Begonia taliensis but differs by lacking 

lobules on the leaf blade. 

74. Begonia jingxiensis D. Fang & Y. G. Wei, Acta Phytotax. 

Sin. 42: 172. 2004. 

靖西秋海棠 jing xi qiu hai tang 

Begonia mashanica D. Fang & D. H. Qin. 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes creeping; internodes 0.3– 

1.1 cm. Leaves all basal; stipules ovate or broadly ovate, 10–12 

× 7–10 mm; petiole 3–16 mm, initially whitish hirsute-villous, 

glabrescent when old; blade obliquely broadly ovate or suborbicular, 

3.5–18 × 4–14 cm, herbaceous, abaxially fibrillose, 

villous on veins, hairs initially whitish, later rusty, adaxially 

green, dark green, or adorned with a whitish or pale horseshoeshaped 

maculation, sparsely appressed rusty fibrillose when 

young, glabrescent, basally 5–8-veined, base cordate, margin irregularly 

dentate or denticulate, long ciliate, apex shortly acuminate, 

obtuse, or rounded. Inflorescences axillary; peduncle 8– 

23 cm, glabrous or subglabrous; flowers 3–40 in a dichasial 

cyme; bracts oblong to elliptic, 1–3 × 0.7–1.5 mm, margin 

sparsely glandular ciliate. Staminate flowers: pedicel 5–17 mm; 

tepals 2(–4), suborbicular, obovate, or broadly ovate, 1–1.2 × 

1–1.3 cm; androecium zygomorphic; stamens 18–30; filaments 

1.5–2.5 mm; anthers oblong to obovoid, apex emarginate. Pistillate 

flowers: pedicel 5–15 mm; tepals 2, suborbicular, obovate, 

or oblate, 1–1.8 × 1–2.2 cm; ovary 3-loculed at proximal 

to middle part, placentation septal. Capsule nodding, ovoid, 11– 

15 × 8–10 mm, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing lunate or 

nearly ligulate, 6–8 mm; lateral wings lunate, 2–3 mm. Fl. Jun– 

Dec, fr. Aug–Dec. 

● Limestone hills and entrances to limestone caves, forests; 100– 

600 m. Guangxi. 

75. Begonia josephii A. Candolle, Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot., sér. 4, 

11: 126. 1859 [“josephi”]. 

重齿秋海棠 chong chi qiu hai tang 

Herbs, deciduous. Tubers 1–1.5 cm in diam. Leaves 1(or 

2); stipules caducous, ovate, membranous, margin ciliate; petiole 

10–21.5 cm, brown villous; blade peltate, broadly ovate to 

suborbicular, nearly symmetric, 10–16 × 8.5–13 cm, abaxially 

brownish pubescent, adaxially hirsute, venation palmate, 7- 

veined, base rounded, margin denticulate, apex acuminate or 

caudate-acuminate. Inflorescences terminal, racemose at base, 

20–28 cm tall, brown villous; bracts ovate, 5–7 mm, membranous, 

abaxially hairy. Staminate flowers: pedicel 1–1.8 cm; tepals 

4, pink, outer 2 broadly ovate, ca. 6 × 4–5 mm, abaxially 

hispidulous, apex obtuse, inner 2 oblong, ca. 4 × 1 mm; stamens 

numerous; filaments ca. 0.8 mm; anthers oblong to obovoidoblong, 

ca. 1 mm, apex emarginate. Pistillate flowers: tepals 4– 

6, unequal, variable in shape; ovary sparsely purplish hairy, 3- 

loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; style 3, fused to halfway; 

stigmas U-shaped. Capsule pendulous, obovoid or subglobose, 

ca. 7 × 8–9 mm, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing falcate, to 

1.2 cm, apex rounded; lateral wings triangular, 2–3 mm. Fl. Jul– 

Aug, fr. Aug.


Forests or forest margins, on rocks in moist environments; 2600– 

2800 m. Xizang (Cona) [Bhutan, NE India, Nepal]. 

76. Begonia labordei H. Léveillé, Bull. Soc. Agric. Sarthe 59: 

323. 1904. 

心叶秋海棠 xin ye qiu hai tang 

Begonia harrowiana Diels; B. polyantha H. Léveillé. 

Herbs, deciduous. Tubers globose, 1.9–2.9 × 1–1.5 cm. 

Leaves basal or cauline (on very short stem); stipules small, 

caducous; petiole 6.5–24.6 cm, glabrous or hairy on upper part; 

blade ovate, slightly asymmetric, 10–25 × 6–22 cm, subglabrous 

to abaxially sparsely hirsute, adaxially hispidulous, venation 

palmate, 5–7-veined, base slightly oblique, cordate, margin 

unequally serrate, apex acuminate to acute. Inflorescences terminal, 

racemose at base, 2–6.5 cm tall, glabrous; bracts oblong, 

3–4 × ca. 1.5 mm, margin remotely denticulate, apex acute. 

Staminate flowers: pedicel ca. 1 mm; tepals 4, pink, outer 2 oblong 

or ovate-oblong, ca. 1 × 6–7 mm, glabrous or abaxially 

hairy, apex rounded or acute, inner 2 elliptic, ca. 7 × 5 mm, 

apex obtuse or acute; stamens numerous; filaments fused to 

halfway or more, ca. 1 mm; anthers oblong, ca. 1.5 mm. Pistillate 

flowers: pedicel 8–9 mm; tepals 3(or 4), outer 2 broadly 

elliptic, 9–10 × ca. 6 mm, glabrous or abaxially hairy, apex 

rounded or obtuse, inner 1(or 2) narrowly oblong, 6–7 × 2–3 

mm, apex rounded or obtuse; ovary glabrous or hairy, 3-loculed; 

placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 3, fused to halfway or 

more; stigmas 3, 2-cleft or U-shaped, spiraled or not. Capsule 

pendulous, oblong-obovoid, ca. 10 × 6–7 mm, unequally 3- 

winged; abaxial wing triangular; lateral wings much smaller, 0– 

3 mm. Fl. Aug, fr. Sep. 2n = 24*. 

● Forest margins, shaded moist rocky slopes; 800–3300 m. Guizhou, 

Sichuan, Yunnan. 

No place of valid publication could be traced for “Begonia labordei 

var. unialata Ku in Acta Phytotax. Sin.” (see FRPS 52(1): 190. 

1999). 

77. Begonia lacerata Irmscher, Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot. Hamburg 

10: 535. 1939. 

撕裂秋海棠 si lie qiu hai tang 

Herbs, to 85 cm tall. Rhizomes elongate. Stems erect, 

sparsely villous when young. Leaves basal and cauline; stipules 

oblong, 1.6–1.8 cm, subglabrous, apex acuminate and cuspidate; 

petiole 6.5–16 cm, pilose when young; blade broadly 

ovate to suborbicular, asymmetric, 7–15 × 9–18 cm, abaxially 

brownish pubescent, adaxially sparsely setulose, venation palmate, 

6–8-veined, base shallowly cordate, margin irregularly 

denticulate, distinctly divided; lobes obliquely rhombic-ovate, 

3–8 × 2–5.5 cm, apex long acuminate or caudate. Inflorescences 

pilose or subglabrous when young; peduncle ca. 1.5 cm. 

Staminate flowers: pedicel ca. 1.5 cm; tepals 4, outer 2 broadly 

ovate, 1.3–1.5 × 1.1–13 cm, abaxially pilose, inner 2 broadly 

elliptic or broadly ovate, 11–12 × 8–9 mm; stamens numerous; 

filaments entirely fused or nearly so. Pistillate flowers unknown. 

Capsule nodding, ca. 18 × 9 mm, 2-loculed; placentae 

axile, bilamellate; unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing broadly 

ligulate, 1.5–1.8 × ca. 1.3 cm, apex rounded; lateral wings 6– 

8 mm. Fl. Jul, fr. Aug. 

● Forest understories; 1000–1900 m. SE Yunnan (Mengzi). 

This species is similar to Begonia edulis but differs by its distinctly 

lobed, abaxially pubescent, and adaxially sparsely setulose leaf blade. 

78. Begonia laminariae Irmscher, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 

21: 40. 1951. 

圆翅秋海棠 yuan chi qiu hai tang 

Herbs. Rhizomes 8–13 mm in diam. Leaves basal; stipules 

not seen; petiole 35–50 cm, brown villous, more densely so on 

upper part; blade suborbicular or oblate-orbicular, slightly asymmetric, 

18–35 × 19–35 cm, glabrous or subglabrous, venation 

palmate, 7–9-veined, base slightly cordate, margin remotely and 

irregularly serrulate, deeply divided to 2/3 of leaf length; lobes 

7–9, apex acuminate or long caudate. Inflorescences glabrous 

or hairy; bracts ovate, glabrous, acuminate. Staminate flowers: 

tepals 4, glabrous, outer 2 orbicular, ca. 1.3 × 1.1 cm, inner 2 

oblong, ca. 11 × 6–7 mm; stamens numerous. Pistillate flowers: 

tepals 5, glabrous, unequal, largest orbicular, ca. 1.5 × 1.3 cm, 

smallest obovate, ca. 14 × 8–9 mm; ovary glabrous, 2-loculed; 

placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 2, fused at base; stigmas 2- 

cleft, spiraled. Capsule nodding, ellipsoid to oblong, 18–20 × 

8–10 mm, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing ligulate or broadly 

oblong, 9–16 mm, apex rounded; lateral wings 2–6.5 mm. 

Fl. Jun, fr. Sep. 2n = 22*. 

Forests or scrubby vegetation, shaded moist environments; 1200– 

1800 m. Guizhou (Anlong), SE Yunnan [Vietnam]. 

This species is similar to Begonia paucilobata but differs by its 7– 

9-lobed leaves, which are deeply divided to ca. 2/3 of the leaf length. 

79. Begonia lancangensis S. H. Huang, Acta Bot. Yunnan. 21: 

13. 1999. 

澜沧秋海棠 lan cang qiu hai tang 

Herbs, dioecious. Rhizomes short, stout. Stems erect, 80– 

120 cm tall, 1.2–2.6 cm in diam., puberulous. Leaves cauline; 

stipules brown, ovate-triangular, 1.2–3.1 × 0.8–1.4 cm, glabrous, 

apex acuminate; petiole 15–40 cm; blade ovate or ovateoblong, 

asymmetric, 10–35 × 7–20 cm, abaxially puberulous on 

veins, adaxially glabrous, venation palmate, 6- or 7-veined, 

base oblique, cordate, margin irregularly serrulate, apex acuminate. 

Inflorescences strongly reduced; bracts ovate, 0.7–1.4 cm, 

glabrous, apex acute and shortly cuspidate. Flowers fragrant. 

Staminate flowers: pedicel 1–2 cm; tepals 4, outer 2 greenish 

at base or white, abaxially puberulous, ca. 2.6 × 3.1 cm, inner 2 

white, ca. 2.3 × 1.8 cm; stamens ca. 70; filaments 2–2.5 mm; 

anthers 4.3–4.8 mm. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 2.5–4 cm; tepals 

4, white, outer 2 broadly ovate, 2.5–3.2 × 1.8–2 cm, inner 2 

obovate or oblong, 1.8–2 × 0.7–1 cm; ovary obovoid, ca. 1 cm, 

subglabrous, 4-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 4, 

stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Fruit berrylike, 4-horned. Fl. Feb–Mar, 

fr. Apr–Jul. 

● Evergreen broad-leaved forests; ca. 1600 m. Yunnan (Lancang). 

This species resembles Begonia roxburghii A. Candolle of the 

Himalayas but differs by its puberulous habit and the stem without red, 

linear dots.

182 


80. Begonia lanternaria Irmscher, Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot. Hamburg 

10: 555. 1939. 

灯果秋海棠 deng guo qiu hai tang 

Herbs. Rhizomes elongate. Leaves basal; stipules caducous, 

oblong-ovate, 9–10 × 4–5 mm, membranous; petiole 8–23 

cm, sparsely villous; blade abaxially pale brown-green, adaxially 

deep brown-green, ovate to broadly ovate, asymmetric, 11– 

13 × 12–14 cm, glabrous, venation palmate, 5-veined, base 

strongly oblique, deeply cordate, margin densely minutely serrulate, 

apex shortly caudate. Inflorescences 18–25 cm tall, glabrous; 

bracts broadly elliptic to broadly ovate, 5–9 × ca. 5 mm, 

margin glandular ciliate. Staminate flowers: pedicel 9–10 mm; 

tepals 4, pinkish, outer 2 broadly ovate, 7–9 × 6–7 mm, abaxially 

subglabrous, inner 1 oblong, ca. 6 × 2 mm; stamens numerous; 

filaments ca. 1.8 mm; anthers cuneate-obovoid, ca. 1 

mm, apex emarginate. Pistillate flowers: pedicel ca. 2 cm; tepals 

3, pinkish, outer 2 broadly ovate, inner 1 smaller; ovary 

glabrous, 1-loculed; placentae parietal, bilamellate; styles 3. 

Capsule nodding, oblong-ovoid, ca. 1.2 cm, unequally 3- 

winged; abaxial wing subtriangular; lateral wings smaller. Fl. 

Aug, fr. Sep. 

On limestone rocks at forest margins. Guangxi (Longzhou) [N 

Vietnam]. 

81. Begonia leprosa Hance, J. Bot. 21: 202. 1883. 

癞叶秋海棠 lai ye qiu hai tang 

Begonia bretschneideriana Hemsley. 

Herbs, creeping. Rhizomes 5–14 mm in diam. Leaves basal; 

stipules caducous, ovate, (5–)15–23 mm, membranous, apex 

cuspidate; petiole 4–13 cm, glabrous to densely brown villous 

when young; blade sometimes very shallowly peltate, suborbicular, 

obovate, or broadly ovate, asymmetric, 4–15 × 4.5– 

21 cm, abaxially glabrous to brown villous, adaxially glabrous, 

venation palmate, 5–7-veined, base oblique, cordate, margin 

remotely and minutely serrulate, apex acute or shortly caudate. 

Inflorescences usually reduced, 1–1.5(–7) cm; bracts ovate, 

3.5–15 mm, membranous, margin ciliate. Staminate flowers: 

pedicel 2–8 mm, glabrous to sparsely villous; tepals 4, white to 

pink, glabrous, outer 2 abaxially reddish on veins, broadly ovate, 

7–26 × 8–29 mm, inner 2 oblong, 5–27 × 2–9 mm; stamens 21– 

78, free; filaments 0.6–3.8 mm; anthers obovoid to subglobose, 

1.1–2.6 mm, apex emarginate. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 4–20 

mm; tepals 3, white to pink, glabrous, persistent in fruit, outer 2 

abaxially reddish on veins, broadly obovate or suborbicular, 7– 

18 × 8–18 mm, inner 1 obovate-oblong, ca. 7 × 4 mm; ovary 

glabrous, 3-loculed; placentae axile, undivided or bilamellate; 

styles 3, free; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Fruit pendulous, clavate, 

1.1–2.2 cm, wingless. Fl. May–Sep, fr. Jun–Oct. 

● Semiopen forests or scrubby vegetation, on limestone rocks; 

100–800 m. Guangdong, Guangxi. 

This is a common species. 

82. Begonia limprichtii Irmscher, Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 

Beih. 12: 440. 1922. 

蕺叶秋海棠 ji ye qiu hai tang 

Begonia houttuynioides T. T. Yu. 

Herbs. Rhizomes elongate; internodes distinct. Leaves 

basal; stipules caducous, ovate-triangular, 5–7 mm, glabrous, 

apex acuminate; petiole 3–8 cm, densely brown villous; blade 

ovate or broadly ovate, asymmetric, 5–8 × 4–7 cm, abaxially 

villous, adaxially red setose, venation palmate, 7-veined, base 

shallowly cordate, margin remotely and irregularly denticulate, 

very shallowly divided, apex shortly caudate or acuminate. Inflorescences 

8–16 cm tall, subglabrous or glabrous; peduncle 1– 

1.3 cm; bracts ovate-lanceolate, 6–10 × 2–4 mm, margin ciliate, 

apex acuminate and shortly cuspidate. Staminate flowers: pedicel 

ca. 4 mm; tepals 4, white or rarely pink, outer 2 broadly 

ovate, 1.8–2 × ca. 1.5 cm, abaxially pilose, inner 2 broadly 

elliptic, ca. 10 × 5 mm; filaments 1–2 mm; anthers obovoid, ca. 

0.8 mm, apex emarginate. Pistillate flowers: pedicel ca. 2.2 cm; 

ovary pilose, 2-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; tepals 4 or 

5, unequal, largest suborbicular, broadly oblong, or broadly 

ovate, 1.5–1.6 cm, smallest oval or oblong, (3–)10 × (2–)5 mm; 

styles 2, fused to halfway; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule 

nodding, obovoid-oblong, 10–13 × 7–9 mm, unequally 3- 

winged; abaxial wing ligulate, 13–17 × 5–9 mm; lateral wings 

3–5 mm. Fl. Jun, fr. Aug. 2n = 22*. 

● Mountain slopes; 500–1700 m. Sichuan, Yunnan. 

This species is similar to Begonia ruboides but differs by its very 

shallowly lobed leaf blade and 2-loculed ovary. 

83. Begonia lipingensis Irmscher, Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot. Hamburg 

6: 353. 1927. 

黎平秋海棠 li ping qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Stems erect, 7–18 cm tall. Leaves 

mostly basal; stipules caducous; petiole 9–19 cm, rusty villous; 

blade broadly ovate, slightly asymmetric, 4–6 × 4–6 cm, abaxially 

sparsely hairy, adaxially hairy, venation palmate, 6- or 7(or 

8)-veined, base slightly oblique, cordate, margin irregularly denticulate, 

distinctly lobed, divided to more than 1/2 of leaf length; 

lobes 6 or 7(or 8), oblong-ovate or triangular, apex acuminate. 

Inflorescences 6–12 cm, usually glabrous. Staminate flowers: 

pedicel 1.5–2.3 cm; tepals 4, pink, outer 2 broadly ovate, 1.4– 

1.7 × 1.4–1.7 cm, base slightly cordate, abaxially rusty villous, 

inner 2 obovate, 1–1.1 cm × 6–7 mm; stamens numerous; filaments 

ca. 3 mm, fused to halfway; anthers oblong-obovoid, ca. 

1.2 mm. Pistillate flowers: pedicel ca. 1.3 cm; tepals 6; ovary 

villous, 2-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate. Capsule nodding, 

abaxial wing ca. 1.1 cm, apex rounded; lateral wings ca. 2 

mm. Fl. Jul–Aug. 

● Forests, scrubby vegetation, on rocks in shaded moist environments; 

300–1100 m. Guangxi, Guizhou, Hunan. 

This species is similar to Begonia digyna but differs by its larger 

staminate flowers. 

84. Begonia lithophila C. Y. Wu, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 33: 257. 

1995. 

石生秋海棠 shi sheng qiu hai tang 

Herbs, deciduous. Tubers 8–15 mm in diam. Leaves 1 or 

2, basal; stipules caducous; petiole 2–12 cm, glabrous or subglabrous; 

blade often reddish abaxially, 5-parted, asymmetric,


7–17 × 3–17 cm, abaxially subglabrous, adaxially sparsely hirsute, 

base cordate, margin serrulate, distinctly divided to 1/2 of 

leaf length or more; lobes 2–9 cm, apex acuminate. Inflorescences 

terminal, racemose at base, 12–18(–20) cm, glabrous or 

subglabrous; bracts oblong-lanceolate, 5–8 mm, margin glandular 

ciliate. Staminate flowers: pedicel 1–1.8 cm; tepals 4, outer 

2 broadly ovate, 10–12 × 7–8 mm, glabrous, inner 2 elliptic, ca. 

10 × 3–4 mm; stamens numerous; filaments 1–1.3 cm, free; anthers 

obovoid, ca. 0.9 mm. Pistillate flowers: tepals 3, outer 2 

broadly oblong, ca. 10 × 8 mm, inner 1 oblong, ca. 7 × 2 mm; 

ovary oblong, glabrous, 3-loculed; placentae axile, undivided; 

styles 3, ca. 1.5 mm, free; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule 

pendulous, ellipsoid, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing lanceolate, 

ca. 3 cm; lateral wings smaller. Fl. Sep–Oct, fr. Nov. 2n = 

24*. 

● Uplifted coral rocks, limestone caves; 1700–2000 m. Yunnan 

(Lunan, Yiliang). 

85. Begonia liuyanii C. I Peng et al., Bot. Bull. Acad. Sin. 46: 

245. 2005. 

刘演秋海棠 liu yan qiu hai tang 

Begonia gigaphylla Y. M. Shui & W. H. Chen. 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes creeping, stout, 1–2.5 cm 

in diam. Leaves all basal; stipules caducous, narrowly triangular, 

herbaceous; petiole 13–22 cm, villous or lanuginose; blade 

abaxially pale, adaxially green or dark green, obliquely broadly 

ovate or suborbicular, 23–50 × 16–40 cm, subleathery, adaxially 

± nitid, sparsely setose, basally 6- or 7-veined, tertiary 

veins percurrent and reticulate, base deeply cordate, margin 

shortly ciliate, apex shortly acuminate. Inflorescences diffusely 

thyrsoid; flowers 13–100 in a thyrsoid cyme; peduncle 20–41 

cm; bracts caducous, ovate or oblong, 1–3 × 1–2.5 mm. Staminate 

flowers: pedicel 0.7–1.2 cm; tepals 4, outer 2 tepals greenish 

yellow or sometimes reddish, 7–9 × 8–9 mm, apex rounded 

or obtuse, rarely acute; inner 2 tepals obovate, oblong, or 

lanceolate; androecium actinomorphic; stamens 30–40; filaments 

fused at base; anthers obovoid, apex subtruncate or subemarginate. 

Pistillate flowers: pedicel 1.5–2.5 cm; tepals 3, yellowish 

or reddish; ovary ellipsoid, 5–7 × 4–4.5 mm, glandular 

hispid, unequally 3-winged, 1-loculed with parietal placentation; 

styles 3, fused at base. Capsule nodding, 8–11 × ca. 5 mm. 

Fl. Apr–Sep, fr. Jun–Feb. 2n = 30*. 

● Broad-leaved forests, shaded, rocky limestone slopes; ca. 200 

m. Guangxi (Longzhou). 

86. Begonia longanensis C. Y. Wu, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 35: 54. 

1997. 

隆安秋海棠 long an qiu hai tang 

Herbs, creeping. Rhizomes elongate. Leaves basal; stipules 

caducous; petiole ca. 20 cm, hispidulous; blade suborbicular 

or broadly ovate, asymmetric, ca. 15 × 16.5 cm, abaxially 

hispidulous, adaxially glabrous or subglabrous, venation palmate, 

8-veined, base oblique, deeply cordate, margin remotely 

denticulate, apex shortly caudate. Inflorescences ca. 12 cm tall, 

pubescent; bracts not seen. Staminate flowers: pedicel 5–12 

mm; tepals 4, outer 2 broadly ovate, ca. 11 × 8 mm, abaxially 

puberulous, adaxially with purple, orbicular dots, inner 2 obovate-oblong, 

ca. 10 × 5 mm; stamens numerous; filaments 1.2– 

1.5 mm, free; anthers obovoid-oblong, ca. 1 mm, apex emarginate. 

Pistillate flowers: tepals unknown; ovary obovoid-oblong, 

densely shortly setose, 2-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate. 

Capsule nodding, obovate-oblong, ca. 2 × 6–7 mm, unequally 

3-winged; abaxial wing triangular; lateral wings smaller. Fl. Jun. 

● Guangxi (Long’an). 

87. Begonia longialata K. Y. Guan & D. K. Tian, Acta Bot. 

Yunnan. 22: 132. 2000. 

长翅秋海棠 chang chi qiu hai tang 

Herbs, glabrous throughout. Rhizomes elongate. Stems 

30–50 cm tall, with many red, linear dots. Leaves basal and 

cauline; stipules 1.6–1.9 × 1.2–1.3 cm; petiole 13–31 cm, glabrous, 

with red linear spots; blade suborbicular, slightly asymmetric, 

24–44 × 24–41 cm, venation palmate, 5–9-veined, base 

deeply cordate, margin irregularly serrulate, distinctly divided 

to 2/3 of leaf length; lobes 5–7, apex acuminate; lobules present. 

Inflorescence glabrous, 11–23-flowered; peduncle 5–10 

cm, with red linear dots; bracts reddish, ovate, 1.8–2.5 cm. 

Staminate flowers: pedicel 2–5 mm; tepals 4, white to pink, 

glabrous, outer 2 suborbicular, 1.5–1.7 × 1.3–1.8 cm, inner 2 

narrowly obovate, 10–17 × 8–10 mm; stamens ca. 160; filaments 

3–5.5 mm; anthers obovoid, 1.3–1.7 mm. Pistillate flowers: 

pedicel 1.8–4.8 cm; tepals 5, white to pink, unequal, largest 

broadly obovate, 1.4–2.3 × 1.2–1.8 cm, smallest obovate to 

elliptic, 1.3–2.1 × 1–1.6 cm; ovary often brownish red, 2- 

loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 2(or 3), 4.2–4.8 

mm, fused at base; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule nodding, 

obovoid, ca. 1.6 × 1 cm, unequally 3-winged; wings brownish 

red, abaxial wing 3–5 cm; lateral wings ca. 2 mm. Fl. Aug–Dec. 

● Rocky slopes; ca. 900 m. SW Yunnan (Gengma). 

This species resembles Begonia macrotoma but differs by its 

stem, petioles, and peduncle having conspicuous, red, linear dots and 

the much longer (3–5 cm) abaxial wing of the capsule. 

88. Begonia longicarpa K. Y. Guan & D. K. Tian, Acta Bot. 

Yunnan. 22: 131. 2000. 

长果秋海棠 chang guo qiu hai tang 

Herbs, fragile, 15–30 cm tall. Rhizomes elongate, 5–17 mm 

in diam. Leaves basal; stipules triangular, 5–10 mm, glabrous, 

apex acuminate and cuspidate; petiole 10–25 cm, minutely 

hairy; blade adaxially dark green, narrowly elliptic, asymmetric, 

5–26 × 3.5–15 cm, glabrous or abaxially minutely hairy on 

veins, venation palmate-pinnate, 5–10-veined, base oblique, cordate, 

margin remotely and minutely serrulate, apex shortly acuminate. 

Inflorescences many, arising from rhizome, 5–14 cm 

tall, hairy; peduncle 3–5 cm. Flowers scented. Staminate flowers: 

tepals 4, white, outer 2 broadly ovate to orbicular, 1.9–2 × 

1–1.8 cm, abaxially minutely hairy, inner 2 oblong to broadly 

oblong, 7–15 × 3–12.3 mm; stamens ca. 120, fused at base. Pistillate 

flowers: tepals 3, white, outer 2 broadly ovate or oblate, 

1.5–1.7 × 1–1.9 cm; inner 1 elliptic, ca. 13 × 7 mm; ovary clavate, 

sparsely shortly pilose when young, 3-loculed; placentae 

axile, bilamellate; styles 3, free; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Cap-

184 


sule pendulous, clavate, trigonous, 4–5 cm × 5–6 mm, wingless. 

Fl. Nov–Dec. 2n = 20*. 

Broad-leaved forests or scrubby vegetation, on forest floor with 

abundant leaf litter and humus; 100–200 m. SE Yunnan (Hekou) [Vietnam]. 

89. Begonia longifolia Blume, Catalogus, 102. 1823. 

粗喙秋海棠 cu hui qiu hai tang 

Begonia aptera Hayata (1911), not Blume (1827), nor 

Roxburgh (1832), nor Decaisne (1834); B. crassirostris Irmscher; 

B. hayatae Gagnepain. 

Herbs, erect. Rhizomes short, stout. Stems 0.5–1.5 m tall, 

well branched. Leaves cauline; stipules caducous, narrowly to 

broadly ovate, to 2.4 × 1.9 cm, glabrous, apex acuminate; petiole 

8–15 cm, glabrous or subglabrous; blade lanceolate to 

broadly lanceolate, asymmetric, 8.5–29 × 3.4–11 cm, glabrous 

or subglabrous, venation palmate-pinnate, 7–10-veined, base 

oblique, cordate, margin remotely and irregularly denticulate. 

Inflorescences strongly reduced, to 5 cm, pendulous; bracts 

caducous, ovate to narrowly triangular, to 1.9 × 1.2 cm, thickly 

papery, glabrous, margin entire, apex mucronate to acuminate. 

Staminate flowers: pedicel 5–12 mm; tepals 4, white, outer 2 

oblong to very broadly ovate, 0.9–1.3 cm × 5–10 mm, glabrous, 

inner 2 elliptic, 0.6–1.5 cm × 4–8.2 mm; stamens 49–93; filaments 

free, 0.7–2.5 mm; anthers lorate to broadly lorate, 1.7– 

2.6 mm, apex emarginate. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 5–12 mm; 

tepals 6, white, subequal, broadly elliptic to orbicular, 7–12 × 

5–9 mm; ovary glabrous, 3-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; 

styles 3, fused at base; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule 

pendulous, subglobose, 1.1–1.8 cm in diam., wingless or 3- 

horned. Fl. Apr–May, fr. Jul. 2n = 22*. 

Forests, shaded moist environments; 200–2200 m. Fujian, Guangdong, 

Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hunan, Jiangxi, Taiwan, Yunnan 

[Bhutan, NE India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, 

Vietnam]. 

Nearly all species of Begonia are very narrowly distributed. Begonia 

longifolia is probably the most widespread species in the genus. It 

resembles B. acetosella when sterile, differing by being monoecious, 

having a 3-loculed ovary, 6-tepaled pistillate flowers, and a remotely 

denticulate leaf margin. 

90. Begonia longistyla Y. M. Shui & W. H. Chen, Acta Bot. 

Yunnan. 27: 367. 2005. 

长柱秋海棠 chang zhu qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes 7–10 cm × 2–4 mm, 

sparsely hairy. Leaves all basal; stipules generally persistent, 

reflexed, triangular; petiole 3–5 cm, densely strigose; blade 

ovate, 6–10 × 4–6 cm, papery, rugose, abaxially densely hairy 

on veins, adaxially densely tuberculate based pilose-setulose, 

base obliquely deeply cordate, margin serrulate and ciliate, apex 

obtuse. Inflorescences with 20–40 flowers in a dichasial cyme; 

peduncle 4–8 cm, glabrous; bracts ovate, apex mucronate. Staminate 

flowers: pedicels 7–8 mm, glabrous; bracteoles ovate, 2–3 

× 1–1.5 mm, apex obtuse; tepals 4, glabrous, outer 2 green, 

orbicular, 4–5 mm in diam., inner 2 greenish, obovate, 4.5–5 × 

3–3.5 mm; stamens numerous; filaments fused up to half from 

base; anthers obovoid, 0.3–0.4 × 0.3–0.4 mm, apex emarginate. 

Pistillate flowers: tepals 3, glabrous; ovary coniform, 7–8 × 3–4 

mm, glabrous, 3-winged, apex with beak 1.5–2 mm, 1-loculed 

with parietal placentation; styles 3, usually fused up to half 

from base. Capsule nodding, ovate, 6–7 × 3–4 mm, with 3 persistent 

styles; wings 3, subequal, lunate, glabrous. Fl. Feb–Jun, 

fr. from Apr–Jun. 

● Limestone slopes in dense broad-leaved forests, at streamsides; 

200–300 m. Yunnan (Gejiu, Hekou). 

91. Begonia lukuana Y. C. Liu & C. H. Ou, Bull. Exp. Forest 

Natl. Chung Hsing Univ. 4: 6. 1982. 

鹿谷秋海棠 lu gu qiu hai tang 

Herbs, erect. Rhizomes short. Stems to 45–90 cm tall, glabrous. 

Leaves all cauline; stipules caducous, narrowly ovate to 

ovate, to 2.8 × 2 cm; petiole 6–26 cm, glabrous; blade abaxially 

purple-red, adaxially usually dark green, lanceolate to narrowly 

ovate, asymmetric, 9–33 × 5–14 cm, remotely scaberulous, 

venation palmately-pinnate, 7–10-veined, base oblique, cordate, 

margin irregularly serrulate, apex acuminate to cuspidate. Inflorescences 

glabrous, 6–13 cm; peduncle to 9 cm; bracts caducous, 

narrowly ovate, to 2.4 × 1.5 cm, glabrous. Staminate flowers: 

tepals 4, white or pinkish, outer 2 obovate to very broadly 

ovate, 0.7–1.5 cm × 6–13 mm, inner 2 oblanceolate to narrowly 

obovate, 0.6–1.4 cm × 5–11 mm; stamens 64–89; filaments 

1.2–1.9 mm; anthers narrowly oblong, 1.9–2.2 mm. Pistillate 

flowers: tepals 5(or 6), white or pinkish, glabrous, unequal to 

subequal, narrowly obovate to broadly ovate, largest 0.8–1.4 × 

0.7–1.3 cm, smallest 7–12 × 3–7 mm; ovary glabrous, 3-loculed; 

placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 3, fused at base; stigmas 

2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule pendulous to nodding, ovoid, 1.2– 

1.5 cm, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing 1.6–2.2 cm; lateral 

wings smaller. 2n = 52*. 

● Shaded moist forest floors, trailsides; 700–1600 m. WC Taiwan 

(Jiayi, Nantou). 

92. Begonia luochengensis S. M. Ku et al., Bot. Bull. Acad. Sin. 

45: 357. 2004. 

罗城秋海棠 luo cheng qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes creeping, 8–20 mm in diam. 

Leaves all basal; stipules triangular-ovate, 7–10 × 7–9 mm; 

petiole 8–30 cm, hirsute-villous; blade abaxially reddish, adaxially 

with a white band along midvein, pale green near major 

veins, dark brownish to purplish red between major veins, 

obliquely ovate to ovate, 10–25 × 5–18 cm, papery, both surfaces 

densely pilose, basally 7-veined, tertiary veins fine, randomly 

reticulate, base cordate, margin denticulate, apex acuminate 

to caudate. Inflorescences with 7–14 flowers in a dichasial 

cyme; peduncle 8–22 cm; bracts oblong. Staminate flowers: 

tepals 4, outer 2 ovate-orbicular, 1.1–1.2 × 1.2–1.3 cm, inner 2 

broadly oblanceolate, ca. 12 × 6.5 mm; androecium zygomorphic; 

stamens 20–27; filaments nearly free, subequal, apex subemarginate. 

Pistillate flowers: tepals 3, outer 2 pinkish, broadly 

ovate-orbicular, 1.3–1.4 × 1.5–1.7 cm, inner 1 obovate, apex 

rounded; ovary pinkish, glabrous, unequally 3-winged, 1-loculed 

with parietal placentation; abaxial wing oblong to nearly 

triangular; styles 3, nearly free; stigmas U-shaped or nearly 

reniform. Capsule nodding, 11–17 × 6–7 mm. Fl. Aug–Nov, fr. 

Sep–Dec. 2n = 30*.


● Semishaded, dry or slightly moist limestone hills; 200–300 m. 

Guangxi (Luocheng). 

93. Begonia luzhaiensis T. C. Ku, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 37: 287. 

1999. 

鹿寨秋海棠 lu zhai qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes creeping, 5–15 mm in 

diam.; internodes 3–5 mm. Leaves all basal; stipules triangular; 

petiole 5–19 cm, hirsute-villous or sparsely villous; blade adaxially 

often pale green to white on angles between or near veins, 

obliquely ovate or suborbicular, 5–20 × 4–13 cm, often angularly 

shallowly lobed, abaxially sparsely or moderately hirsute 

on veins, adaxially pilose, sparsely tomentose, or very sparsely 

scaberulous, basally 5- or 6-veined, tertiary veins fine, randomly 

reticulate, base deeply cordate, margin denticulate or crenulate, 

apex acuminate or acute. Inflorescences with 8–10 flowers 

in a dichasial cyme; peduncle 9–35 cm. Staminate flowers: 

tepals 4, outer 2 ovate, broadly ovate, or suborbicular, 5–14 × 

5–10 mm, apex obtuse or acute, inner 2 oblanceolate, 3–10 × 2– 

4 mm; androecium zygomorphic; stamens 10–55; filaments 1– 

1.5 mm; anthers oblong, 1–1.2 mm, apex subemarginate. Pistillate 

flowers: tepals 3, outer 2 5–14 × 5–15 mm, inner 1 oblanceolate, 

3–10 × 2–4 mm; ovary glabrous; placentae parietal; 

styles 3. Capsule nodding, ellipsoid, 6–18 × 4–6 mm, unequally 

3-winged; abaxial wing oblong or triangular, 5–13 mm, apex 

obtuse or acute. Fl. May–Nov, fr. Jun–Jan. 

● Limestone hills, rocky slopes, in caves with some penetrating 

light; 100–700 m. Guangxi. 

94. Begonia macrotoma Irmscher, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 

21: 41. 1951. 

大裂秋海棠 da lie qiu hai tang 

Herbs, to 40 cm tall. Rhizomes elongate, 5–20 mm in 

diam. Stems glabrous. Leaves basal and cauline; stipules ovate, 

ca. 1.9 × 1.2 cm, glabrous; petiole 7–15.5 cm, glabrous; blade 

oblong, slightly asymmetric, 12–15 × 14–18 cm, abaxially glabrous, 

adaxially sparsely hirsute, venation palmate, 5–7-veined, 

base slightly oblique, cordate, margin irregularly serrulate, divided 

to 2/3 of leaf length; lobes 5–7, apex acuminate; lobules 

present. Inflorescence glabrous; peduncle 5–15 cm; bracts oval, 

ca. 13 × 8 mm. Staminate flowers: pedicel ca. 1.9 cm; tepals 4, 

pink, outer 2 broadly elliptic, ca. 10 × 7 mm, inner 2 ovate, ca. 

7 × 5 mm; stamens numerous; filaments 1–2 mm; anthers oblong, 

1–1.2 mm; connectives elongate. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 

1.4–2 cm; ovary obovoid, ca. 1.2 cm, 2-loculed; placentae 

axile, bilamellate; tepals 3, outer 2 broadly elliptic, ca. 1.5 × 

1.1 cm, inner 1 elliptic, ca. 12 × 7 mm; styles 2.5–6 mm, fused 

to halfway; stigmas 2, spiraled. Capsule nodding, obovoid-oblong, 

1.5–2 cm × ca. 7 mm, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing 

ca. 4 mm; lateral wings smaller. Fl. Aug, fr. Sep. 

Forests, by streams; 1200–1500 m. Yunnan (Lincang, Shuangjiang) 

[NE India, Nepal, Vietnam]. 

95. Begonia malipoensis S. H. Huang & Y. M. Shui, Acta Bot. 

Yunnan. 16: 333. 1994. 

麻栗坡秋海棠 ma li po qiu hai tang 

Herbs. Rhizomes short. Stems repent, ascendent on upper 

part, red hirsute. Leaves cauline; stipules ovate-triangular, ca. 1 

× 0.5 cm, abaxially puberulous, apex acuminate; petiole 5–15 

mm, densely red hirsute; blade abaxially red on veins, ovate, 

asymmetric, 7–8 × 9–11 cm, herbaceous, abaxially densely hirsute, 

adaxially sparsely setulose, base oblique, cordate, margin 

serrate, shallowly divided; lobes 5 or 6, triangular, apex acute. 

Inflorescences densely red hirsute; peduncle 3–8 cm. Staminate 

flowers: pedicel red, ca. 0.7 cm, densely red setulose; tepals 4, 

pink, outer 2 broadly elliptic, ca. 8 × 5 mm, abaxially red hirsute, 

inner 2 suborbicular, ca. 4 mm in diam., abaxially red hirsute; 

stamens numerous; filaments free, ca. 1 mm; anthers obovoid-oblong, 

ca. 1 mm, apex widened, obtuse. Pistillate flowers: 

pedicel ca. 1.1 cm; tepals 4, pink, outer 2 obovate-oblong, ca. 

2.5 × 1.5 cm, inner 2 sparsely red setulose; ovary red hirsute, 3- 


stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule obovoid, ca. 1 cm, unequally 

3-winged; abaxial wing ligulate; lateral wings subequal. 

● Shaded, scrubby mountain slopes; ca. 1300 m. Yunnan (Malipo). 

96. Begonia manhaoensis S. H. Huang & Y. M. Shui, Acta 

Bot. Yunnan. 21: 21. 1999. 

蛮耗秋海棠 man hao qiu hai tang 

Herbs. Rhizomes elongate; 1.2–2 cm in diam. Leaves basal; 

stipules persistent, ovate-lanceolate, 1.3–2.6 cm, hairy, apex 

acuminate; petiole 11–35 cm, sulcate, densely villous; blade 

dark green, broadly ovate, asymmetric, 26–33 × 17–25 cm, herbaceous, 

abaxially pubescent, adaxially sparsely pubescent 

when young, venation palmate, base oblique, cordate, margin 

very shallowly lobed, apex acute to acuminate. Inflorescences 

9–43 cm, villous; peduncle 4–28 cm, 3–6 mm in diam.; bracts 

caducous, ca. 2.3 × 1.6 cm. Staminate flowers: pedicel 1.1–4.2 

cm; tepals 4, white or pinkish, glabrous, outer 2 ovate, 12–15 × 

9–15 mm, inner 2 oblong, 12–18 × 7–12 mm; stamens 50–150; 

filaments fused to halfway; anthers narrowly ovoid to oblong, 

apex acute. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 2.8–4.2 cm; ovary glabrous, 

2-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; tepals 5, white or 

pinkish, elliptic-oblong, glabrous, unequal, largest 10–15 × 8– 

13 mm, smallest 11–18 × 5–11 mm; styles 2, fused to halfway, 

6.2–9.2 mm; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule nodding, ca. 2 

cm, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing ligulate, 1.5–2.4 cm; lateral 

wings 4–6 mm. 

● Forest understories; 300–800 m. Yunnan (Longling, Pingbian). 

97. Begonia masoniana Irmscher ex Ziesenhenne, Begonian 

38: 52. 1971. 

铁甲秋海棠 tie jia qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes creeping, 1.5–2.3 cm in 

diam. Leaves all basal; stipules triangular, manifestly keeled; 

petiole 10–30 cm, hirsute-villous; blade abaxially pale green, 

adaxially with broad blackish brown (red abaxially) bands along 

main veins, obliquely broadly ovate to suborbicular, 10–25 × 9– 

20 cm, abaxially sparsely villous or hispid on veins, adaxially 

with many hairy tipped pustules, sparsely long setose or hirsute, 

basally 5–7-veined, base deeply cordate, margin densely denticulate, 

apex acuminate or shortly caudate. Inflorescences axil-

186 


lary; peduncle 10–54 cm, sparsely glandular pilose; pedicel 5– 

14 mm; bracts and bracteoles ovate or oblong to lanceolate, 3–5 

× 2–3 mm, membranous, margin glandular ciliate, apex acute, 

caducous; flowers 20–100 in a dichasial cyme. Staminate flower: 

tepals 4, outer 2 broadly ovate or suborbicular, 5–11 × 6–12 

mm, inner 2 oblong, 5–8 × 2–4.5 mm, apex obtuse; androecium 

actinomorphic; stamens 40–55; anthers obovoid, apex truncate 

or subemarginate. Pistillate flower: tepals 3, outer 2 broadly 

ovate, oblong-obovate or suborbicular, (6–)8–12 × (4–)7–13 mm, 

abaxially glandular hispid, apex rounded, inner 1 oblong or 

obovate, 5–7.5 × 2–4.5 mm, apex obtuse; ovary oblong, red 

glandular hispid, placentae parietal; styles 3. Capsule nodding, 

oblong to ellipsoid, 9–13 × 5–6 mm, reddish, glandular hispid, 

unequally 3-winged, largest wing obliquely lunate or ligulate, 

4–9 mm. Fl. Mar–Sep, fr. Jun–Sep. 

Rocky limestone slopes, in caves under dense forests or shrubberies; 

100–300 m. Guangxi (Daxin, Pingxiang) [Vietnam]. 

Begonia masoniana var. maculata S. K. Chen et al. (Acta Bot. 

Yunnan. 8: 222. 1986) was described from a cultivated plant in Kunming, 

Yunnan. However, it is from Vietnam and does not occur wild in 

China. It has subsequently been raised to species rank under the name 

B. variegata Y. M. Shui & W. H. Chen (Acta Bot. Yunnan. 27: 372. 

2005), based on the same type. 

98. Begonia megalophyllaria C. Y. Wu, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 

33: 272. 1995. 

大叶秋海棠 da ye qiu hai tang 

Herbs. Rhizomes elongate, stout, to 3.5 cm in diam. 

Leaves basal; stipules caducous, 1.2–2.7 × 1.2–1.5 cm, membranous; 

petiole 20–35 cm, glabrous; blade broadly ovate, asymmetric, 

23–26 × 32–34 cm, glabrous, venation palmate, 10- or 

11-veined, base oblique, cordate, margin irregularly remotely 

serrulate, apex rounded or acute. Inflorescences glabrous. Staminate 

flowers: pedicel 1.5–2.2 cm; tepals 4, white, outer 2 ovate, 

9–13 × 10–16 mm, inner 2 ovate, 9–16 × 8–11 mm; stamens ca. 

200; filaments 3.3–6.7 mm; anthers 1.8–2.5 mm. Pistillate flowers: 

pedicel 1.5–2 cm; tepals 5, white, unequal, broadly ovate to 

ovate, largest 12–14 × 9–10 mm, smallest 14–15 × 8–11 mm; 

ovary glabrous, 2-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 2, 

free, ca. 6.8 mm; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule nodding, 

unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing ligulate, ca. 1.2 × 6–7 cm, 

apex obtuse; lateral wings lunate, ca. 3 mm. Fr. Oct. 

● Shaded moist forests, on steep slopes; 800–1000 m. Yunnan 

(Pingbian). 

99. Begonia mengtzeana Irmscher, Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot. Hamburg 

10: 536. 1939. 

蒙自秋海棠 meng zi qiu hai tang 

Herbs, erect. Stems 1.5–2 mm in diam., brown villous. 

Leaves basal and cauline; stipules persistent, suborbicular or 

reniform, 6–7 × 8–12 mm, abaxially setose, margin irregularly 

ciliate, apex obtuse or rounded; petiole 0.5–4 cm, densely brown 

villous; blade purple, light green on veins, ovate or broadly ovate, 

rarely oblate-orbicular, asymmetric, 5–6 × 5–8 cm, sparsely hispidulous, 

venation palmate, 5- or 6-veined, base oblique, cordate, 

margin irregularly denticulate, distinctly divided; lobes 3– 

5, triangular, apex long acuminate or long caudate. Inflorescences 

brown villous; peduncle 2.4–3.4 cm; bracts ovate, 9–10 

× 6–7 mm, margin ciliate, apex shortly acuminate. Staminate 

flowers: tepals 4, white, outer 2 oval, 1.8–2.2 × 1.5–1.8 cm, 

abaxially villous, inner 2 obovate, 1.4–1.8 × 1–1.2 cm; filaments 

fused at base; anthers obovoid, 1–1.2 mm. Pistillate 

flowers: tepals 5, white, unequal, largest oval, 1.5–1.7 × 1.2–1.3 

cm, abaxially villous, smallest elliptic, ca. 9 × 6.5 mm, glabrous; 

ovary oblate-obovoid, 6–7.5 × 3.5–4.5 mm, densely 

brown villous, 2-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 2, 

2.3–3 mm, fused at base; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule immature, 

unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing subtriangular; lateral 

wings smaller. Fl. Oct, fr. Dec. 

● Forests, shaded moist environments; 1700–2500 m. Yunnan 

(Mengzi). 

100. Begonia miranda Irmscher, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 

21: 36. 1951. 

截裂秋海棠 jie lie qiu hai tang 

Herbs. Rhizomes elongate, 1–2 cm in diam. Leaves basal; 

stipules caducous; petiole to (11–)28–32 cm, densely reflexed 

scalelike hairy; blade ovate to suborbicular, slightly asymmetric, 

16–21 × 12–20 cm, abaxially hispidulous and scalelike 

hairy on veins, adaxially sparsely hispidulous, venation palmate, 

5–7-veined, base slightly oblique, cordate, margin remotely 

serrulate, distinctly divided to 2/3 of leaf length; lobes 

5–7, apex acuminate or acute; lobules triangular. Inflorescences 

with reflexed scalelike hairs; bracts oblong, ca. 9 × 5 mm, glabrous, 

apex shortly acuminate. Staminate flowers: pedicel ca. 2 

cm; tepals 4, pink, outer 2 oblate, ca. 1.5 × 1.9 cm, inner 2 oblong, 

ca. 11 × 5 mm; stamens numerous; filaments 1–3 mm; anthers 

obovoid-cuneate, 1–2 mm, apex emarginate or obtuse. 

Pistillate flowers: pedicel 2.4–3 cm; tepals 6; ovary 3-loculed; 

placentae axile, bilamellate. Capsule nodding, ovoid-oblong, 

1.8–2 cm, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing broadly ligulate, 

ca. 1.5 cm; lateral wings lunate, 3–4 mm. Fl. Oct, fr. Nov. 

● Forests, shaded moist environments; 1200–1600 m. Yunnan (Jinping, 

Pingbian). 

101. Begonia modestiflora Kurz, Flora 54: 296. 1871. 

云南秋海棠 yun nan qiu hai tang 

Begonia yunnanensis H. Léveillé, Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni 

Veg. 7: 20. 1909; B. yunnanensis var. hypoleuca H. Léveillé. 

Herbs, deciduous. Tubers subglobose. Stems erect, 14–40 

cm tall, glabrous, lower part repent, slender, rooting at nodes. 

Leaves cauline; stipules ovate, 5–7 mm, membranous, margin 

denticulate and ciliate, apex acuminate and shortly cuspidate; 

petiole 1.8–5.5 cm, glabrous; blade triangular, asymmetric, 3.5– 

8 × 2.5–5 cm, both surfaces glabrous, venation palmate, 5–7- 

veined, base strongly oblique, shallowly cordate, margin irregularly 

serrate, apex long acuminate. Inflorescences terminal and 

axillary, glabrous; terminal inflorescence with distal staminate 

flowers and basal pistillate flowers; axillary inflorescences with 

1 or 2 pistillate flowers; bracts ovate, 6–7 mm, margin denticulate 

and ciliate, apex acuminate and cuspidate. Staminate flowers: 

pedicel 6–10 mm; tepals 4, pink, outer 2 broadly ovate, 5–7


× ca. 4.5 mm, glabrous, inner 2 narrowly elliptic, ca. 3 × 1 mm; 

stamens numerous; filaments fused at base; anthers narrowly 

elliptic, ca. 1.2 mm, apex acute. Pistillate flowers: bracteole 1, 

caducous, margin denticulate; tepals 5, unequal, largest broadly 

ovate, 7–8 × 6–7 mm, glabrous, apex obtuse or acute, smallest 

narrowly elliptic, 6–7 × ca. 1.5 mm, apex obtuse; ovary glabrous, 

3-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 3, fused at 

base; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule pendulous, ca. 10 × 6 

mm, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing triangular, 1.3–1.5 cm; 

lateral wings smaller. Fl. Aug, fr. Sep. 

Forests, shaded moist environments by streams; 500–1400 m. 

Yunnan (Jinghong, Simao) [India, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand]. 

102. Begonia morifolia T. T. Yu, Bull. Fan Mem. Inst. Biol., 

n.s., 1: 119. 1948. 

桑叶秋海棠 sang ye qiu hai tang 

Begonia anceps Irmscher. 

Herbs. Stems to 40 cm, slender and trailing at base, erect 

above, villous when young. Leaves cauline; stipules triangularovate, 

8–10 mm, abaxially villous; petiole 1.5–2.5 cm, densely 

villous; blade ovate or narrowly ovate, asymmetric, 6–9 × 3.5– 

4.5 cm, papery, sparsely hispidulous, venation palmate-pinnate, 

base oblique, cordate, margin sharply denticulate, apex long 

acuminate. Inflorescences hairy; bracts ovate, 8–9 mm, abaxially 

pubescent, margin serrate. Staminate flowers: pedicel ca. 

1.5 cm; tepals 4(or 5), pink, hairy, outer 2 ovate, ca. 1.5 × 1 cm, 

abaxially villous, inner 2 narrow, ovate-oblong, ca. 8 × 2 mm; 

stamens numerous; filaments ca. 1.2 mm, free; anthers elliptic, 

ca. 1 mm, apex emarginate. Pistillate flowers: tepals 5, hairy, 

outer 2 broadly ovate, ca. 10 × 8 mm, inner 2 narrow, ovate-oblong, 

ca. 7 × 3.5 mm; ovary 3-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; 

styles 3; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule pendulous, oblong, 

ca. 10 × 7 mm, unequally 3-winged. Fl. Oct–Nov, fr. Dec. 

● Forests, shaded moist environments; 1300–1600 m. Yunnan 

(Malipo, Xichou). 

This species is similar to Begonia alveolata but differs by its 

sharply denticulate leaf margin and abaxially hairy outer tepals. 

103. Begonia morsei Irmscher, Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot. Hamburg 

10: 554. 1939. 

龙州秋海棠 long zhou qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes creeping, tortuous, crispedpilose. 

Leaves all basal; stipules caducous, ovate or triangular, 

5–7.5 × 3–4 mm, ciliate; petiole 4–16 cm, hirsute-villous; blade 

adaxially with a whitish band, obliquely broadly ovate, 5–14 × 

4–10.5 cm, papery, abaxially crisped-pilose, major veins villous, 

adaxially densely tuberculate-based setulose, basally 5–7- 

veined, tertiary veins percurrent and reticulate, base cordate, 

margin denticulate or serrulate, apex acute or acuminate. Inflorescences 

axillary; peduncle 6.5–12 cm; flowers 3–15 in a dichasial 

cyme; bracts caducous. Staminate flower: pedicel 0.6–2 

cm; tepals 4, outer 2 broadly ovate or suborbicular, 6–11 × 6.5– 

10 mm, apex rounded, inner 2 obovate-oblong, ca. 7 × 3 mm, 

apex obtuse; androecium zygomorphic; stamens numerous; filaments 

0.7–1.3 mm, fused at base into a short column; anthers 

obovoid, 0.7–0.9 mm. Pistillate flower: tepals 3, outer 2 broadly 

ovate, inner 1 smaller; ovary ellipsoid, glabrous, l-loculed with 

parietal placentation; styles 3. Capsule nodding, oblong, 5–10 × 

3.5–5 mm, subequally 3-winged, wings lunate. 

● Rock walls of caverns, shaded rocky places of forest understories, 

understories of secondary forests on limestone hills; ca. 700 m. 

Guangxi. 

1a. Leaf blade adaxially with a white, 

ring-shaped band; inflorescences and 

flowers glabrous ...................................... 103a. var. morsei 

1b. Leaf blade adaxially with white spots in 

intercostal areas; inflorescences and 

flowers hairy ................................... 103b. var. myriotricha 

103a. Begonia morsei var. morsei 

龙州秋海棠 ( 原变种 ) long zhou qiu hai tang (yuan bian 

zhong) 

Leaf blade adaxially with a white, ring-shaped band. Inflorescences 

and flowers glabrous. 

● Rock walls of caverns, shaded rocky places of forest understories. 

Guangxi (Longzhou). 

103b. Begonia morsei var. myriotricha Y. M. Shui & W. H. 

Chen, Acta Bot. Yunnan. 27: 368. 2005. 

密毛龙州秋海棠 mi mao long zhou qiu hai tang 

Leaf blade adaxially with white spots in intercostal areas. 

Inflorescences and flowers hairy. 

● Understories of secondary forests on limestone hills; ca. 700 m. 

Guangxi (Debao). 

This variety is somewhat similar to Begonia picturata but differs 

by its much smaller flowers and intercostal spots on the adaxial leaf 

surface. 

104. Begonia muliensis T. T. Yu, Bull. Fan Mem. Inst. Biol., 

n.s., 1: 119. 1948. 

木里秋海棠 mu li qiu hai tang 

Herbs, deciduous, 20–30 cm tall. Tubers 1–2 cm in diam. 

Leaves 1(or 2); stipules caducous, triangular-ovate, ca. 5 mm, 

membranous; petiole 14–21 cm, pilose; blade broadly cordateovate, 

asymmetric, 9–14 × 11–17 cm, abaxially sparsely hispidulous, 

adaxially sparsely hirsute, venation palmate, 7-veined, 

base cordate, slightly asymmetric, margin irregularly serrate, 

shallowly divided to ca. 1/3 of leaf length; lobes 5–7, apex acuminate. 

Inflorescences terminal, racemose at base, 16–30 cm tall, 

pilose; bracts ovate-lanceolate, ca. 5 mm, glabrous, apex acute. 

Staminate flowers: pedicel 8–12 mm; tepals 4, pinkish, outer 2 

broadly ovate, ca. 10 × 9 mm, abaxially pilose, inner 2 oblanceolate, 

9–11 × 3–4 mm; stamens numerous; filaments ca. 1.2 

mm, fused at base; anthers broadly oblong, ca. 1.2 × 1 mm, 

apex emarginate. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 2–2.5 cm; tepals 3, 

outer 2 ovate, ca. 8 × 6 mm, abaxially pilose or subglabrous, 

inner 1 elliptic, ca. 6 × 3 mm; ovary glabrous, veins distinct, 3- 

loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 3, fused at base; stigmas 

2-cleft, U-shaped. Capsule pendulous, obovoid-oblong to 

oblong, 8–10 × 5–6 mm, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing triangular, 

ca. 1.5 × 1 cm; lateral wings smaller. Fl. Aug, fr. Sep. 

2n = 24*.

188 


● Forests, rocks in moist environments; 1800–2600 m. SW Sichuan, 

Yunnan (Zhongdian). 

This species is scarcely distinguishable from Begonia taliensis; it 

differs merely by the relatively shallowly lobed leaves. 

105. Begonia nantoensis M. J. Lai & N. J. Chung, Quart. J. Exp. 

Forest. 6: 60. 1992. 

南投秋海棠 nan tou qiu hai tang 

Herbs. Rhizomes elongate. Stems to 100 cm tall, pubescent 

when young. Leaves basal and cauline; stipules caducous, 

ovate, ca. 1.5 cm; petiole 8–25 cm, pubescent when young; 

blade ovate, asymmetric, 12–18 × 8–14 cm, pubescent, venation 

palmate, 8–10-veined, base oblique, cordate, margin irregularly 

denticulate, apex acuminate. Inflorescences pubescent. 

Staminate flowers: usually prematurely dropped in bud with 

abortive pollen; tepals 4, pinkish, outer 2 broadly ovate, 1.6–2.3 

× 1.2–1.8 cm, abaxially pubescent, inner 2 elliptic, 1.1–1.4 cm 

× 5–7 mm. Pistillate flowers: tepals 5, pinkish, unequal, largest 

1.7–2 × 1.4–1.8 cm, abaxially pubescent, smallest elliptic, ca. 

12 × 7 mm; ovary pubescent, 2-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; 


nodding, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing falcate, ca. 2.5 

cm; lateral wings smaller. 

● Taiwan (Nantou). 

This is a natural hybrid between Begonia palmata and B. chitoensis. 

Further studies to confirm its hybrid status and putative parents are 

in progress by C. I Peng and associates. 

106. Begonia ningmingensis D. Fang et al., Bot. Stud. 47: 97. 

2006. 

宁明秋海棠 ning ming qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes 2–10 cm or longer, 2.5–16 

mm in diam.; internodes 3–17 mm. Leaves all basal; stipules 

triangular or nearly so, 4–16 × 2.5–10 mm; petiole 3–24 cm, 2– 

5 mm in diam., hirsute-villous; blade abaxially usually reddish, 

adaxially often with white spots along major veins, broadly 

ovate, suborbicular, or reniform, papery or thinly so, rugose, 

adaxially pilose-setose, basally 6–8-veined, tertiary veins reticulate 

and percurrent, base cordate, margin denticulate and ciliolate. 

Inflorescences axillary, flowers 5–21 in a dichasial cyme; 

peduncle 4–21 cm, glabrous to sparsely villous; bracts ovate, 

oblong, or ligulate, margin denticulate and ciliate or ciliolate. 

Staminate flowers: pedicel 0.7–2 cm, glabrous; tepals 4, pinkish 

or white; androecium zygomorphic; stamens 20–50; filaments 

subequal; anthers subemarginate at apex. Pistillate flowers: 

tepals 3, 2 outer, 1 inner, glabrous; ovary ellipsoid, 3-winged, 1- 

loculed with parietal placentation; wings unequal or subequal. 

Capsule nodding, ellipsoid, apex with persistent styles; lateral 

wings 2–3.5 mm tall; abaxial wing lunate or nearly so. 

● Broad-leaved forests on limestone hills; 100–400 m. Guangxi. 

1a. Leaf broadly ovate or suborbicular, 

apex acuminate, shortly acuminate, 

or acute; stipules serrulate at margin, 

ciliate or ciliolate; tepals of pistillate 

flowers caducous, if persistent not 

thickened when fruiting .............. 106a. var. ningmingensis 

1b. Leaf suborbicular or reniform, 

apex rounded or obtuse; stipules 

entire at margin, not ciliate; tepals 

persistent and thickened in fruit ................ 106b. var. bella 

106a. Begonia ningmingensis var. ningmingensis 

宁明秋海棠 ( 原变种 ) ning ming qiu hai tang (yuan bian 

zhong) 

Stipules serrulate at margin, ciliate or ciliolate; leaf blade 

broadly ovate to suborbicular, 5.5–19 × 5–13 cm, apex acuminate, 

shortly acuminate, or acute. Staminate flowers: pedicel 

7–20 mm, glabrous; tepals 4, outer 2 pinkish or white, 

1.2–2.5 × 1.2–1.9 cm, inner 2 tepals oblanceolate or narrowly 

obovate, 8–18 × 3–5 mm. Pistillate flowers: outer tepals 10–14 

× 8–14 mm, caducous or nearly so; styles 3, fused in lower 

1/4–1/2. Capsule 9–10 × 4–6 mm, stipe 6–20 mm. Fl. Aug– 

Dec, fr. Oct–Jan. 2n = 30*. 

● Broad-leaved forests on limestone hills; 100–400 m. Guangxi 

(Chongzuo, Longzhou, Ningming). 

106b. Begonia ningmingensis var. bella D. Fang ey al., Bot. 

Stud. 47: 101. 2006. 

丽叶秋海棠 li ye qiu hai tang 

Stipules entire at margin, not ciliate; leaf blade suborbicular 

or reniform, 2.8–13.5 × 2.5–12.5 cm, apex rounded or obtuse. 

Inflorescences 1–3, flowers 3–15 in a dichasial cyme; 

staminate flowers 2–10, pistillate flowers 1–4; peduncle 4–15 

cm, 1.5–2 mm in diam. Staminate flowers: pedicel 1–2 cm; 

tepals 4, outer 2 suborbicular to oblate, 8–13 × 8–13 mm, inner 

2 tepals obovate or narrowly so, 7–8 × 2.5–3.5 mm; androecium 

zygomorphic; stamens 20–35; filaments subequal, 1–1.5 

mm, nearly free or partly fused. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 5–12 

mm, bracteole absent; tepals 3, persistent; outer 2 oblate or 

suborbicular, 6–10 × 8–10.5 mm; inner 1 obovate or narrowly 

so, 4–7 × 1.5–3.5 mm; ovary 4.5–7 mm, 2–5 mm in diam. 

Capsule 7–9 × 4–6 mm, apex with persistent tepals. 2n = 30*. 

● Limestone hills; 200–300 m. Guangxi (Daxin). 

107. Begonia obliquifolia S. H. Huang & Y. M. Shui, Acta Bot. 

Yunnan. 21: 21. 1999 [“obliquefolia”]. 

斜叶秋海棠 xie ye qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes creeping, 4–6 mm in diam.; 

internodes 5–10 mm. Leaves all basal; stipules ovate-triangular; 

petiole 8–15 cm; blade adaxially greenish on major veins, 

brownish to dark green between veins, obliquely broadly ovate, 

4.5–12 × 4–7 cm, papery, abaxially pubescent, more densely so 

on veins, adaxially tuberculate-based puberulous or nearly hispidulous, 

basally 5- or 6-veined, base cordate, margin crenulate 

or denticulate, apex acute or acuminate. Inflorescences axillary; 

peduncle 11–12 cm, glandular-pilose; flowers 2–10 in a dichasial 

cyme; bracts ovate-triangular or broadly ovate. Staminate 

flowers: pedicel 1.3–2 cm; tepals 4, outer 2 broadly ovate or 

suborbicular, abaxially pilosulose, inner 2 oblong or oblanceolate; 

androecium zygomorphic; stamens numerous; anthers obovoid-oblong, 

ca. 1 mm. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 1.3–2.3 cm; 

tepals 3, outer 2 abaxially pilosulose; ovary obovoid, glandularpilose, 

1-loculed; placentae parietal; styles 3. Capsule nodding,


obovoid-ellipsoid, 10–15 × 4–6 mm, glandular pilose, unequally 

3-winged; abaxial wing obliquely triangular. Fl. Jan, fr. Jan– 

Jun. 

● Entrances to limestone caves; 1400–1500 m. SE Yunnan 

(Malipo). 

In FRPS (52(1): 200. 1999) this species was misidentified as the 

Vietnamese endemic Begonia bonii Gagnepain. 

108. Begonia obsolescens Irmscher, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 

21: 37. 1951. 

不显秋海棠 bu xian qiu hai tang 

Begonia fengii T. C. Ku. 


stipules membranous, caducous; petiole 2.5–8 cm, sparsely villous; 

blade ovate or oblong-ovate, asymmetric, 1.8–8 × 1.5–6.2 

cm, sparsely hispidulous and adaxially puberulous, venation 

palmate-pinnate, (5 or)6-veined, base oblique, cordate, margin 

irregularly serrulate, apex acute to acuminate. Inflorescences 4– 

10 cm tall, villous; bracts caducous, ovate-lanceolate, 3–4 mm, 

membranous, apex obtuse. Staminate flowers: pedicel 1–1.8 cm; 

tepals 4, white to pink, villous, outer 2 broadly ovate or oblong, 

7–8.5 × 6–8 mm, inner 2 oblong to elliptic, 5–6 × 2.5–3 mm; 

stamens numerous; filaments 1–1.8 mm, fused at base; anthers 

obovoid-oblong, 1–1.1 mm, apex emarginate. Pistillate flowers: 

tepals 5, white to pink, villous; ovary villous, 3-loculed; placentae 

axile, bilamellate. Capsule nodding, subequally 3-winged; 

wings triangular; placentae axile, bilamellate. Fl. Jun, fr. May. 

● Forest margins, in scrubby vegetation; 500–1600 m. Guangxi, 

SE Yunnan. 

109. Begonia oreodoxa Chun & F. Chun ex C. Y. Wu & T. C. 

Ku, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 33: 274. 1995. 

山地秋海棠 shan di qiu hai tang 


stipules caducous; petiole 9–24 cm, densely reddish brown 

villous; blade ovate-suborbicular or broadly ovate, asymmetric, 

11–33 × 13–25 cm, abaxially reddish brown hirsute, adaxially 

reddish brown hirsute on veins, venation palmate-pinnate, 7–9- 

veined, base oblique, deeply cordate or auriculate-imbricate, 

margin irregularly and remotely denticulate, apex acuminate to 

shortly caudate. Inflorescences 7–15 cm tall, densely reddish 

brown villous; bracts lanceolate, 7–8 mm, margin ciliate. Staminate 

flowers: pedicel 5–10 mm; tepals 4, pinkish to pink, outer 

2 broadly ovate to orbicular, 1.2–1.3 × 1.3–1.5 cm, abaxially 

villous, inner 2 obovate, ca. 10 × 8 mm; stamens numerous; 

filaments free, 1–1.5 mm; anthers oblong, 0.8–0.7 mm. Pistillate 

flowers: tepals 4(or 3), pinkish to pink, outer 2 orbicular, 1– 

1.5 × 1.1–1.4 cm, abaxially villous or rarely glabrous, inner 

2(or 1) obovate or elliptic, 10–11 × 4–6 mm; ovary villous or 

rarely glabrous, 2-loculed at base; placentae parietal toward 

apex of ovary, others axile, bilamellate; styles 2, free; stigmas 

2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule nodding, unequally 3-winged; adaxial 

wing oblate, ca. 1.5 cm, apex rounded; lateral wings smaller. Fl. 

Apr. 

Forests or scrubby vegetation, shaded moist environments, on 

mountain slopes or by streams; 100–1200 m. SE Yunnan [Vietnam]. 

110. Begonia ornithophylla Irmscher, Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot. 

Hamburg 10: 556. 1939. 

鸟叶秋海棠 niao ye qiu hai tang 


diam.; internodes 6–15 mm. Leaves all basal; stipules caducous, 

triangular to broadly ovate; petiole 6–15 cm; blade obliquely 

ovate to ovate-lanceolate, rarely broadly ovate, 8–18 × 4.5–14 

cm, subleathery, basally 5- or 6-veined, tertiary veins weakly 

percurrent and reticulate, base shallowly cordate, margin coarsely 

serrate or subentire, apex long acuminate. Inflorescences 

axillary; peduncle 10–18 cm; pedicel 9–18 mm, pubescent or 

sparsely sericeous-pilose; bracts ovate or oblong, 1.5–9 × 1–4.5 

mm, margin indistinctly serrate, glandulose-ciliate, apex obtuse 

or acute; flowers pink. Staminate flower: tepals 4, outer 2 

broadly ovate to orbicular, 1.2–1.9 × 1.1–1.7 cm, outside pilose 

to glabrous, base subrounded, apex rounded or obtuse, inner 2 

oblong or obovate-oblong, 7–12.5 × 3–5 mm, base cuneate, apex 

obtuse; androecium zygomorphic; stamens 20–40; filaments 

1.2–1.8 mm, slightly fused at base; anthers cuneate-obovoid, 1– 

1.5 mm, apex emarginate. Pistillate flower: tepals 3, outer 2 

broadly ovate or suborbicular, 12.5–19 × 14–19 mm, inner 1 

oblong, 7.5–12 × 3–4.5 mm; ovary oblong-ovoid, 1-loculed, placentae 

parietal; styles 3, 4.5–5 mm, fused in lower 1/3. Capsule 

with 3 subequal, triangular wings, all wings lunate. Fl. Jan–May, 

fr. Mar–Jun. 

● On limestone rocks of forest understories; 100–600 m. Guangxi 

(Daxin, Longzhou, Ningming). 

111. Begonia palmata D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 223. 1825. 

裂叶秋海棠 lie ye qiu hai tang 

Herbs, 20–90 cm tall. Rhizomes elongate, to 2.1 cm in 

diam. Stem erect, brown villous, floccose-pubescent, or tomentose. 

Leaves basal and cauline; stipules caducous, narrowly 

ovate, to 2.8 × 1.8 cm, margin ciliate, apex cuspidate; petiole 5– 

40 mm, brown villous, floccose-pubescent, or tomentose; blade 

asymmetric, ovate or oblate-orbicular, 12–33 × 6–27 cm, adaxially 

hispidulous, sometimes tomentose, venation palmate, 5– 

10-veined, base oblique, slightly cordate to cordate, margin 

remotely and shallowly denticulate, shallowly to distinctly divided; 

lobes 3–7, apex acuminate to long acuminate. Inflorescences 

tomentose; bracts caducous, ovate, 0.7–1.5 cm × 4–8 

mm, abaxially brown villous or tomentose, margin ciliate, apex 

acute. Staminate flowers: pedicel 1–2 cm; tepals 4, white to 

pink, outer 2 obovate to orbicular, 1–2.6 × 0.8–2.4 cm, abaxially 

villous or tomentose, inner 2 oblanceolate to narrowly obovate, 

0.8–2.4 cm × 5–9 mm; stamens 100–200; filaments 0.8– 

2.4 mm; anthers narrowly obovoid, 1.9–2.3 mm. Pistillate flowers: 

pedicel 1–2 cm; tepals 5(–7), unequal, oblanceolate to orbicular, 

largest 0.8–2.4 × 0.8–2.2 cm, abaxially pubescent, smallest 

0.8–2.1 cm × 4–9 mm; ovary brown tomentose or villous, 2- 

loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles fused at base; stigmas 

2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule nodding, obovoid, ca. 15 × 8 mm, 

unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing oblong or oblique-triangular, 

1.1–3.2 cm; lateral wings much smaller. Fl. Jun–Aug, Nov– 

Dec, fr. Jul–Nov. 2n = 22*, 24*. 

Evergreen broad-leaved forests, scrubby vegetation, by streams or 

on slopes in valleys, on rocks in moist environments by streams; 100–

190 


3200 m. Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hunan, Jiangxi, 

Sichuan, Taiwan, Xizang, Yunnan [Bangladesh, Bhutan, NE India, 

Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam]. 

1a. Stem and petiole twisted brown woollytomentose 

or twisted-tomentose. 

2a. Blade adaxially hirsute ................. 111a. var. palmata 

2b. Blade adaxially densely 

hispidulous, occasionally 

mixed hirsute ........................ 111b. var. bowringiana 

1b. Stem and petiole erect- or 

floccose-pubescent or 

tomentose on local part. 

3a. Abaxial surface of leaf blade, petiole, 

and stem when young hispidulous 

and sparsely hirsute, glabrescent; 

blade lobed, base subrounded, 

subequal ...................................... 111c. var. laevifolia 

3b. Abaxial surfaces of leaf blade, and 

stem erect- or floccose-pubescent, 

petiole sometimes tomentose, blade 

parted, asymmetric at base. 

4a. Stem and both surfaces of leaf 

blade brown floccose-hirsute; 

petiole brown tomentose .... 111d. var. difformis 

4b. Stem, petiole, and abaxial 

surface of leaf blade hirsute, 

adaxially hispidulous (hairs 

rounded at base) ......... 111e. var. crassisetulosa 

111a. Begonia palmata var. palmata 

裂叶秋海棠 ( 原变种 ) lie ye qiu hai tang (yuan bian zhong) 

Begonia laciniata Roxburgh; B. laciniata var. nepalensis 

A. Candolle; B. laciniata var. tuberculosa C. B. Clarke. 

Stem and petiole twisted brown woolly-tomentose; blade 

adaxially hirsute. 

Scrubby vegetation, evergreen broad-leaved forests, by streams or 

on slopes in valleys; 1300–2100 m. Xizang (Mêdog), Yunnan (Gongshan) 

[Bangladesh, Bhutan, NE India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, 

Vietnam]. 

111b. Begonia palmata var. bowringiana (Champion ex Bentham) 

Golding & Karegeannes, Phytologia 54: 494. 1984. 

红孩儿 hong hai er 

Begonia bowringiana Champion ex Bentham, J. Bot. Kew 

Gard. Misc. 4: 120. 1852; B. edulis H. Léveillé var. henryi H. 

Léveillé; B. ferruginea Hayata (1911), not Linnaeus f. (1782); 

B. kouytcheouensis Guillaumin; B. laciniata subsp. bowringiana 

(Champion ex Bentham) Irmscher; B. laciniata var. bowringiana 

(Champion ex Bentham) A. Candolle; B. laciniata 

subsp. principalis Irmscher; B. randaiensis S. Sasaki; Doratometra 

bowringiana (Champion ex Bentham) Seemann. 

Stem and petiole densely rusty twisted tomentose; blade 

variable in shape, often obliquely ovate, 5–16 × 3.5–13 cm, 

abaxially sparsely rusty twisted tomentose, more densely so on 

veins, adaxially densely hispidulous, sometimes sparsely hirsute, 

base obliquely cordate, lobed or divided to 1/2; lobes 

broadly triangular to narrowly triangular, margin toothed, apex 

acuminate. Flowers rose or white; tepals abaxially densely hairy. 

Fl. Jun, fr. Jul. 

● Evergreen broad-leaved forests, on rocks in shaded moist environments 

by streams in valleys; 100–2500 m. Fujian, Guangdong, 

Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hunan, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Xizang, 

Yunnan. 

111c. Begonia palmata var. laevifolia (Irmscher) Golding & 


光叶红孩儿 guang ye hong hai er 

Begonia laciniata subsp. laevifolia Irmscher, Notes Roy. 

Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 21: 43. 1951. 

Stem, petiole, and blade abaxially hispidulous and sparsely 

hirsute, glabrescent; blade broadly ovate, ca. 14 × 15 cm, base 

rounded, slightly oblique, margin lobed or undulate; lobes 

broadly triangular, ca. 3 cm, base 3–4 cm wide, apex acute or 

obtuse. Flowers rose; tepals abaxially sparsely hairy. Fruit 

sparsely hairy. Fl. Nov–Dec. 

● Yunnan (Hekou). 

111d. Begonia palmata var. difformis (Irmscher) Golding & 


变形红孩儿 bian xing hong hai er 

Begonia laciniata subsp. difformis Irmscher, Mitt. Inst. 

Allg. Bot. Hamburg 10: 531. 1939. 

Stem and both surfaces of leaf blade brown floccose-hirsute; 

petiole usually brown tomentose; blade broadly ovate, 14– 

18 cm, nearly as long as wide, base obliquely cordate, margin 

parted; lobes triangular, 3–6 × 1.5–2.5 cm, apex acute or shortly 

acuminate. Flowers rose; tepals ovate, abaxially pubescent. Fl. 

Jul–Aug, fr. Nov. 

● Forests, scrubby vegetation, on rocks in moist environments by 

streams; 1800–2500 m. SW Yunnan. 

111e. Begonia palmata var. crassisetulosa (Irmscher) Golding 

& Karegeannes, Phytologia 54: 495. 1984. 

刺毛红孩儿 ci mao hong hai er 

Begonia laciniata subsp. crassisetulosa Irmscher, Mitt. 

Inst. Allg. Bot. Hamburg 10: 532. 1939. 

Stem, petiole, and blade abaxially hirsute; blade ovate, 9– 

12 × 6–8 cm, base obliquely cordate, margin remotely and minutely 

toothed; lobes subtriangular, 1–2 cm, adaxially hispidulous, 

hairs rounded at base. Flowers rose; tepals abaxially hirsute. 

Fl. Jun. 

● Understories of evergreen broad-leaved forests, on rocks in 

moist environments by streams; 1500–3200 m. SW and W Yunnan. 

112. Begonia parvula H. Léveillé & Vaniot, Repert. Spec. Nov. 

Regni Veg. 2: 113. 1906. 

小叶秋海棠 xiao ye qiu hai tang 

Herbs, deciduous. Tubers ca. 8 mm in diam. Leaves usually 

2 or 3, basal; stipules ovate-lanceolate, membranous, caducous; 

petiole 4–6.5 cm, hairy; blade broadly ovate, nearly sym-


metric, 2–3.4(–4) × 2–4 cm, pilose or subglabrous, venation 

palmate, 5–7-veined, base cordate, margin crenate, apex obtuse. 

Inflorescences terminal, 4.5–7 cm tall, with 2 or 3 flowers; 

bracts obovate-oblong, margin serrate. Staminate flowers: pedicel 

ca. 2.8 cm; tepals 4, pinkish, outer 2 oblate-orbicular, ca. 8 × 

11 mm, glabrous or abaxially hairy, inner 2 oblong, 8–9 × ca. 

3.5 mm; stamens numerous; filaments 1–1.5 mm, free; anthers 

obovoid, ca. 1 mm, apex emarginate. Pistillate flowers: tepals 5, 

unequal, largest oblate to obovate, 8–9 × 7–10 mm, glabrous or 

abaxially hairy, smallest oblong-obovate, 6–7 × 2.5–4 mm; 

ovary glabrous or hairy, 3-loculed; placentae axile, undivided; 

styles 3, fused to halfway; stigmas 2-cleft, U-shaped. Capsule 

pendulous, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing triangular; lateral 

wings smaller. Fl. Sep. 2n = 28*. 

● On rocks; 200–1300 m. Guizhou, Yunnan. 

This species is similar to Begonia henryi but differs by its 4- 

tepaled staminate flowers and 5-tepaled pistillate flowers. 

113. Begonia paucilobata C. Y. Wu, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 33: 

275. 1995. 

少裂秋海棠 shao lie qiu hai tang 

Herbs, ca. 30 cm tall. Rhizomes elongate, ca. 1.5 cm in 

diam. Leaves basal; stipules caducous, membranous; petiole 

11–14.5 cm, subglabrous; blade broadly pentagonous, slightly 

asymmetric, 7–11 × 6.5–9 cm, abaxially subglabrous or hairy, 

adaxially sparsely hispidulous, venation palmate, base slightly 

cordate to cordate, margin slightly and remotely serrulate, distinctly 

divided to 1/2 of leaf length; lobes usually 5, apex acute. 

Inflorescences glabrous or hairy; peduncle ca. 13 cm; bracts 

caducous, ovate, 1.5–2 × ca. 1.5 cm, glabrous, apex acute. Staminate 

flowers: pedicel ca. 3.2 cm; tepals 4, pink, outer 2 broadly 

ovate, 3–4 × 3–4 cm, glabrous or abaxially hairy, inner 2 elliptic, 

ca. 2 × 1.3 cm; stamens numerous, fused at base; filaments 

ca. 2.5 mm; anthers obovoid-oblong, ca. 1 mm. Pistillate flowers: 

pedicel ca. 7 mm; tepals 5, ovate to orbicular, glabrous or 

abaxially hairy, 0.8–1.5 × 0.8–1.5 cm; ovary glabrous or hairy, 

2-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 2; stigmas 2-cleft, 

spiraled. Capsule nodding, ellipsoid, ca. 1.5 cm, unequally 3- 

winged; abaxial wing ligulate, 0.8–1.5 cm, apex rounded; lateral 

wings smaller. Fl. Jul–Aug, fr. Sep–Oct. 

● Forest understories; 1700–1800 m. Yunnan. 

This species is similar to Begonia laminariae but differs by the 5- 

lobed blade, which is divided to ca. 1/2 of the leaf length. 

1a. Tepals and ovary glabrous .............. 113a. var. paucilobata 

1b. Tepals and ovary hairy .................. 113b. var. maguanensis 

113a. Begonia paucilobata var. paucilobata 

少裂秋海棠 ( 原变种 ) shao lie qiu hai tang (yuan bian zhong) 

Tepals and ovary glabrous. 

● Forest understories; ca. 1700 m. Yunnan (Suijiang). 

113b. Begonia paucilobata var. maguanensis (S. H. Huang & 

Y. M. Shui) T. C. Ku, Fl. Reipubl. Popularis Sin. 52(1): 261. 

1999. 

马关秋海棠 ma guan qiu hai tang 

Begonia maguanensis S. H. Huang & Y. M. Shui, Acta 

Bot. Yunnan. 16: 338. 1994. 

Tepals abaxially hairy; ovary hairy. 

● Forest understories; ca. 1800 m. Yunnan (Maguan). 

114. Begonia pedatifida H. Léveillé, Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni 

Veg. 7: 21. 1909. 

掌裂秋海棠 zhang lie qiu hai tang 

Begonia pedatifida var. kewensis H. Léveillé. 

Herbs. Rhizomes elongate, to 2.8 cm in diam. Leaves all 

basal or sometimes with 1 cauline leaf; stipules caducous, ovate, 

ca. 10 × 8 mm, membranous, apex acute; petiole 10–55 cm, 

densely or sparsely villous; blade oblate-orbicular to broadly 

ovate, 10–40 cm, abaxially hispidulous, adaxially sparsely hispidulous, 

venation palmate, 6- or 7-veined, base cordate, margin 

remotely serrulate, distinctly divided to 2/3 of leaf length; 

lobes (4 or)5 or 6, apex acuminate; lobules present. Inflorescences 

5–16 cm tall, sparsely to densely villous; bracts caducous. 

Staminate flowers: pedicel 1–3.3 cm; tepals 4, white to 

pinkish, outer 2 broadly ovate, 1.7–2.5 × 1.2–1.8 cm, abaxially 

pilose, inner 2 oblong, 14–18 × 7–10 mm; stamens 80–200; 

filaments 1.2–4.9 mm; anthers obovoid-oblong, 1–2.5 mm, apex 

emarginate or obtuse. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 1–2.5 cm; tepals 

5, white to pink, unequal, largest broadly ovate, 1.8–2 × ca. 

1 cm, glabrous or abaxially pilose, smallest oblong, 0.9–1.6 cm 

× 5–8 mm; ovary glabrous or pilose, 2-loculed; placentae axile, 

bilamellate, styles 2, 4.2–5.5 mm, free; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. 

Capsule nodding, obovoid, ca. 1.5 × 1 cm, unequally 3-winged; 

abaxial wing triangular or falcate, 1.2–2.4 cm; lateral wings 

triangular, 4–10 mm. Fl. Jan–Jul, fr. Oct. 

● Broad-leaved forests, shaded moist environments; 300–1700 m. 

Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan. 

115. Begonia peii C. Y. Wu, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 33: 252. 1995. 

小花秋海棠 xiao hua qiu hai tang 

Herbs, tuberous, probably deciduous, 7–11 cm tall. Stem 

erect, glabrous. Leaves cauline; stipules caducous; petiole 1–1.8 

cm, glabrous; blade broadly ovate or suborbicular, asymmetric, 

1–2.9 × 0.9–3.2 cm, glabrous, venation palmate, 5-veined, base 

cordate, margin shallowly crenate, apex rounded or acute. Inflorescences 

terminal and axillary; bracts caducous, broadly ovate, 

ca. 6 × 6 mm, herbaceous, glabrous, margin dentate. Staminate 

flowers: pedicel 5–10 mm; tepals 4, outer 2 suborbicular, 3.5–4 

× 3.5–4 mm; stamens 7–9; filaments fused to 2/3; anthers obovoid, 

ca. 1 mm. Pistillate flowers: tepals 4, outer 2 suborbicular, 

3.5–4 × 3.5–4 mm, inner 2 oblong, ca. 3 × 1.2 mm; ovary oblong, 

glabrous, 2-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 2, 

entirely fused; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule pendulous, oblong, 

unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing oblate-triangular, 2–3 

mm; lateral wings smaller. Fl. Sep. 

● Limestone rocks; ca. 1000 m. Yunnan (Yiwu). 

116. Begonia peltatifolia H. L. Li, J. Arnold Arbor. 25: 209. 

1944. 

盾叶秋海棠 dun ye qiu hai tang

192 


Herbs. Rhizomes elongate, to 1.8 cm in diam. Leaves basal; 

stipules caducous, ca. 14 × 9 mm; petiole 7–18 cm, glabrous; 

blade succulent, peltate, broadly ovate to orbicular, nearly 

symmetric, 10–14 × 7.5–10 cm, subglabrous to glabrous, 

venation palmate, 10–12-veined, base slightly oblique, rounded, 

margin indistinctly crenulate, apex abruptly caudate. Inflorescences 

20–39 cm tall, glabrous; bracts caducous, 5.3–9 × 3.9– 

8.9 mm. Staminate flowers: pedicel 7–17 mm; tepals 4, pinkish, 

outer 2 suborbicular or oblate, 1.2–1.8 × 1.7–1.9 cm, glabrous, 

inner 2 narrowly oblong, 6–10 × 2–5 mm; stamens 28–35; filaments 

1.5–2.2 mm, free; anthers obovoid-oblong, 0.9–1.1 mm, 

apex obtuse. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 14–18 mm; tepals 3, 

pinkish, outer 2 suborbicular, 1.2–1.5 × 1.7–1.8 cm, glabrous, 

inner 1 oblong, ca. 10 × 5–6 mm; ovary obovoid-oblong, ca. 9 

× 4–5 mm, glabrous, 3-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; 

styles 3, 4–4.9 mm, free; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule nodding, 

unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing triangular, 1–1.6 × 0.8– 

1 cm; lateral wings smaller. Fl. Jun–Jul, fr. Jul. 

● Broad-leaved forests, on limestone rocks in semishaded but dry 

environments, near mountain summits; ca. 900 m. Hainan (Baisha, 

Changjiang). 

117. Begonia picta Smith, Exot. Bot. 2: 81. 1805. 

樟木秋海棠 zhang mu qiu hai tang 

Begonia echinata Royle. 

Herbs, deciduous. Tubers globose, 5–8 mm in diam. Stem 

absent or very short. Leaves 1 or 2, basal or cauline; stipules 

caducous, ovate-lanceolate, abaxially hairy; petiole 5–8(–15) 

cm, pubescent on upper part; blade ovate-cordate, slightly 

asymmetric, 5–8 × 4–7 cm, abaxially hirsute, adaxially sparsely 

hirsute, venation palmate, 7-veined, base slightly oblique, cordate 

to deeply cordate, margin bidentate, apex acuminate. Inflorescences 

terminal, 6–15(–21) cm tall, pubescent; bracts ovatelanceolate, 

abaxially pilose. Staminate flowers: pedicel 5–10 

mm; tepals 4, pink, outer 2 suborbicular, ca. 9 × 7 mm, abaxially 

villous, inner 2 elliptic, 5–6 × ca. 2.5 mm; stamens numerous; 

filaments 0.8–1 mm, fused at base; anthers oblong, ca. 1 

mm, apex emarginate. Pistillate flowers: tepals 5, pink, largest 

broadly obovate, 6–7 × 4–5 mm, smallest elliptic, ca. 3.2 × 1.3 

mm; ovary villous, 3-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 

3, fused at base; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule pendulous, 

obovoid, ca. 6 mm, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing lanceolate, 

ca. 1.5 × 0.4 cm; lateral wings smaller. Fl. Aug–Sep, fr. 

Sep. 

Forest margins, on rocks in shaded moist environments by streams 

and slopes; 2200–2900 m. Xizang (Nyalam) [N India, Myanmar, Nepal]. 

This species is similar to Begonia parvula but differs by its bilamellate 

placentae. 

118. Begonia picturata Yan Liu et al., Bot. Bull. Acad. Sin. 46: 

367. 2005. 

一口血秋海棠 yi kou xie qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes 5–15 × 0.6–1.2 cm; internodes 

0.8–3 cm. Leaves all basal; stipules ovate-triangular to 

lanceolate-triangular, 10–23 × 6–10 mm; petiole 7–17 cm, 3–6 

mm thick; blade with a wide whitish ring-shaped belt, or with 

digitate dark brown bands along main veins and at leaf margin, 

ovate to broadly ovate, 7–20 × 5.5–14 cm, thickly papery, ± 

rugose, abaxially shortly villous, particularly so on veins, adaxially 

villous-setose or tomentose-setose, basally 6- or 7-veined, 

all veins on abaxial surface prominently raised, base obliquely 

deeply cordate. Inflorescences axillary, flowers 4–17 in a dichasial 

cyme; peduncle 10–16 cm, hirsute-villous; pedicel hispidvillous; 

bracts ovate, oblong, or orbicular. Staminate flowers: 

tepals 4, outer 2 suborbicular to oblong; inner 2 obovate, oblong, 

or oblanceolate; androecium zygomorphic; stamens 20– 

50; anthers oblong-obovoid, apex subemarginate, yellow with 

red margin along anther sacs. Pistillate flowers: tepals 3, usually 

caducous; outer 2 suborbicular to broadly ovate; inner 1 obovate; 

ovary 7–11 × 5–7 mm, red villous-setose or hispid-setose, 

3-winged, 1-loculed with parietal placentation; wings unequal, 

abaxial wing lunate. Capsule nodding, 10–15 × 6–8 mm; abaxial 

wing 6–9 mm tall. Fl. Feb–May, fr. Mar–Jun. 2n = 30*. 

● Shaded rocky limestone slopes, in caves; 700–800 m. Guangxi 

(Jingxi). 

119. Begonia pinglinensis C. I Peng, Bot. Bull. Acad. Sin. 46: 


坪林秋海棠 ping lin qiu hai tang 

Herbs. Rhizomes elongate, to 1 cm in diam. Stems 35–50 

cm. Leaves basal and cauline; stipules caducous, narrowly ovate 

to ovate, to 9.7 × 3.6 mm, glabrous, margin entire, apex acuminate; 

petiole often reddish, to 16(–20) cm, hispid or villosulous; 

blade narrowly ovate to ovate, asymmetric, 7–16(–25) × 

5–9(–14) cm, pilose to pilose-sericeous, venation palmate, 7– 

10-veined, base oblique, shallowly cordate, margin irregularly 

serrulate to denticulate, apex acuminate to cuspidate. Inflorescences 

to 25 cm, hispid; peduncle to 15 cm; bracts caducous, 

narrowly ovate, to 7.5 × 3.5 mm, papery, glabrous, margin entire, 

apex acuminate. Staminate flowers: tepals 4, white to pinkish, 

outer 2 broadly ovate to ovate, 0.7–2 × 0.6–1.7 cm, abaxially 

hairy, inner 2 oblanceolate to narrowly obovate, 0.8–1.7 

cm × 4–9 mm; stamens 46–81; filaments free, 0.7–1.6 mm; 

anthers narrowly oblong to oblanceolate, 0.8–1.4 mm. Pistillate 

flowers: tepal 5, unequal to subequal, narrowly obovate to 

broadly obovate, largest 1–1.9 × 0.9–1.7 cm, abaxially hairy, 

smallest 6–19 × 5–14 mm; ovary hairy, 2-loculed; placentae 

axile, bilamellate; styles 2, 4–5(–5.7) mm, fused at base, stigmas 

2-cleft, spiraled. Capsules nodding, trigonous, unequally 3- 

winged; abaxial wing triangular to ligulate, 1.3–2.8 × 0.9–1.9 


● Forests; 200–300 m. N Taiwan (Taibei). 

This species is similar to Begonia chitoensis but differs by its 

densely hairy blade and hairy tepals and ovary. 

120. Begonia platycarpa Y. M. Shui & W. H. Chen, Acta Bot. 

Yunnan. 27: 368. 2005. 

扁果秋海棠 bian guo qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizome 4–10 cm, 2–3 mm in diam., 

sparsely hirsute, hairs 2–3 mm; internodes 5–9 mm. Leaves all 

basal; stipules mostly persistent, reflexed, triangular, 6–8 × 3–4 

mm, adaxially densely pilose; petiole 5–10 cm, hirsute (hairs 3–


5 mm); blade very broadly ovate, 6–8 × 4–5.5 cm, papery, 

abaxially sparsely pilose (hairs 3–4 mm) on veins and glabrous 

on other parts, adaxially densely pilose (hairs ca. 3 mm), basally 

6-veined, base obliquely deeply cordate, margin serrulate and 

with cilia 3–4 mm, apex obtuse. Inflorescences 12–15 flowers 

in a dichasial cyme; peduncle 5–8 cm, sparsely pilose (hairs ca. 

3 mm); bracts obovate or ovate, 4–7 × 2–3.5 mm, abaxially 

sparsely pilose, margin ciliate, apex rounded or acute. Staminate 

flowers: tepals 4, outer 2 pink, suborbicular, 1–1.5 cm in 

diam., apex with red stripes, outside sparsely pilose, inner 2 

white or pinkish, obovate, 1.2–1.6 × 4–6 mm; stamens numerous; 

filaments free, 1–1.1 mm; anthers yellow, obovoid, 1.2–1.3 

× 0.5–0.7 mm, apex subemarginate. Pistillate flowers: tepals (2 

or)3(or 4), pink, outer 2 orbicular, 1–1.3 cm in diam., apex with 

red stripes, outside sparsely pilose (hairs ca. 2 mm), inner pinkish, 

obovate, 0.8–1.1 × 3–5 mm; ovary broadly ovoid-ellipsoid, 

3-winged, sparsely pilose (hairs ca. 2 mm), 1-loculed with parietal 

placentation; styles 3, ca. 2 mm, base slightly fused, stigmas 

spirally twisted. Capsule nodding, orbicular, compressed, 7– 

8 mm in diam., glabrescent, styles persistent; wings 3, equal, lunate, 

1.5–2.2 mm. Fl. Mar–Jun. 

● At foot of limestone hills; ca. 900 m. Yunnan (Guangnan). 

121. Begonia polytricha C. Y. Wu, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 33: 

275. 1995. 

多毛秋海棠 duo mao qiu hai tang 

Herbs, 20–30 cm tall. Rhizomes elongate, 6–8 mm in 

diam. Stems densely brown hirsute. Leaves basal and cauline; 

stipules caducous, ovate, membranous, margin ciliate, apex acuminate; 

petiole (3–)4–12 cm, densely brown hirsute; blade 

ovate, asymmetric, 6–7 × 4–5 cm, abaxially sparsely hispidulous, 

adaxially long hirsute, base oblique, cordate, margin dentate, 

shallowly lobed, divided to 1/3 of leaf length, apex shortly 

caudate. Inflorescences densely brown hirsute; peduncle 1–3 

cm; bracts triangular-lanceolate, 4–5 × ca. 3.5 mm, membranous, 

margin ciliate, apex acuminate. Staminate flowers: pedicel 

ca. 1 cm; tepals 4, outer 2 oblong-ovate, 9–13 × 7–10 mm, 

abaxially brown hirsute, inner 2 oblong, ca. 6 × 1.5–2 mm; 

stamens numerous; filaments free, ca. 1.5 mm; anthers oblong, 

ca. 0.8 mm, apex obtuse. Pistillate flowers: pedicel ca. 1 cm; 

tepals 5, orbicular to narrowly oblong, largest ca. 10 × 9 mm, 

abaxially hirsute; ovary densely brown hirsute. Capsule unknown. 

Fl. Oct. 

● Broad-leaved forests, shaded moist environments on slopes; 

1800–2200 m. Yunnan (Lüchun, Yuanyang). 

122. Begonia porteri H. Léveillé & Vaniot, Repert. Spec. Nov. 

Regni Veg. 9: 20. 1910. 

罗甸秋海棠 luo dian qiu hai tang 

Begonia bellii H. Léveillé; B. yishanensis T. C. Ku. 


diam.; internodes 0.8–1.7 cm. Leaves all basal; stipules ovate to 

triangular-ovate; petiole to 3.5–15 cm; blade abaxially pale 

green or reddish, adaxially green or brown-green, obliquely 

ovate, broadly ovate, or suborbicular, 3–13 × 2–11 cm, papery, 

abaxially pilose-tomentose to sparsely villous, more densely so 

on veins, adaxially pilose-tomentose, basally 5- or 6-veined, 

base cordate, margin irregularly serrulate, apex obtuse or acute 

to acuminate. Inflorescences axillary, flowers 3–17 in a dichasial 

cyme; peduncle 7–20 cm, glabrous, rarely sparsely pilose; 

bracts caducous, oblong to ovate. Staminate flowers: tepals 4, 

outer 2 broadly elliptic, broadly ovate, or orbicular, 1–1.4 × 1– 

1.4 cm, inner 2 white, broadly oblanceolate, 8–13 × 5–6 mm; 

androecium zygomorphic; stamens 16–25; filaments 1.4–1.6 

mm; anthers 2-celled, obovoid-oblong. Pistillate flowers: tepals 

3, outer 2 broadly ovate or oblate, 7–12 × 6–13 mm, apex 

rounded, inner 1 obovate to oblanceolate, 5–10 × 3–5 mm, apex 

obtuse; ovary oblong, 5–10 × 3–5 mm, placentae parietal; styles 

3, 2.5–3.5 mm, widened upward; stigmas reniform or shallowly 

C-form, not spirally twisted, papillose all around. Capsule oblong, 

8–15 × 4–7 mm, with 3 unequal wings, abaxial wing 

lunate to subtriangular, 3–7 × 8–15 mm; lateral wings smaller, 

1–4 mm. Fl. Jun–Nov, fr. Jul–Dec. 

● Semishaded, slightly moist limestone surfaces and caves; 100– 

400 m. Guangxi (Luocheng, Pingnan, Yishan), Guizhou (Luodian). 

123. Begonia pseudodaxinensis S. M. Ku et al., Bot. Stud. 47: 


假大新秋海棠 jia da xin qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes stout, 6–30 mm in diam.; 

internodes 6–12 mm. Leaves all basal; stipules ovate-triangular, 

apex obtuse or emarginate; petiole terete, 15–35 × 4.5–7 mm; 

blade green throughout, broadly ovate or suborbicular, 16–38 × 

12–26 cm, slightly rugose, basally 6–8-veined, base deeply cordate, 

margin denticulate-ciliolate, apex shortly acuminate or 

acute. Inflorescences axillary, flowers 25–57 in a dichasial 

cyme; peduncle 14–28 cm; bracts broadly ovate to orbicular, 2– 

5.5 × 2–5 mm, margin denticulate and ciliate. Staminate flowers: 

pedicel 1–3 cm, pilose; tepals 4, outer 2 suborbicular; inner 

2 oblong or obovate; androecium zygomorphic; stamens 28–40; 

anthers oblong-obovoid, apex subemarginate. Pistillate flowers: 

pendent, pedicel 1.3–1.9 cm; tepals 3, outer 2 suborbicular or 

oblate; ovary ellipsoid or ovoid-ellipsoid, 3-winged, 1-loculed 

with parietal placentation; styles 3, slightly spiraled. Capsule 

nodding, 13–14 × 5–6 mm. Fl. Dec–Mar, fr. 2n = 30*. 

● Limestone hills; ca. 400 m. Guangxi (Daxin). 

124. Begonia pseudodryadis C. Y. Wu, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 33: 

276. 1995. 

假厚叶秋海棠 jia hou ye qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes creeping, 1–1.6 cm in diam.; 

internodes short. Leaves all basal; stipules ovate; petiole 5–16 

cm, glabrous; blade abaxially reddish brown, adaxially with 

many pale, oval spots of various sizes between veins and usually 

with a broad pale band along midvein against dark green 

background, strongly obliquely ovate, 5–15 × 4–8 cm, subleathery, 

both surfaces glabrous, basally 6- or 7-veined, base 

deeply cordate, margin subentire, sometimes shallowly repand 

or angularly lobed, apex acuminate to caudate-acuminate. Inflorescences 

with 4–15 flowers in a dichasial cyme; peduncle 6–20 

cm; bracts oblong or elliptic. Staminate flower: pedicel 1.2–1.6 

cm; tepals 4, pink, glabrous, outer 2 ovate to broadly ovate, 

inner 2 lanceolate; stamens 30–40, anthers obovoid, apex sub-

194 


truncate. Pistillate flower: pedicel 1.5–2.5 cm; tepals 5, pink, 

outer ones rhomboid to ovate-triangular, inner ones gradually 

diminishing, innermost one lanceolate; ovary obovoid-oblong, 

glabrous, unequally 3-winged, placentae parietal; styles 3. Capsule 

ellipsoid, glabrous, with 3 unequal wings, abaxial wing 

obliquely broadly ligulate, lunate, or subrectangular. Fl. May– 

Sep, fr. July–Nov. 

● Mossy limestone rocks in valleys; 800–1500 m. Yunnan 

(Hekou, Maguan, Pingbian). 

125. Begonia pseudoleprosa C. I Peng et al., Bot. Stud. 47: 

214. 2006. 

假癞叶秋海棠 jia lai ye qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes creeping, 4–7.5 mm in 

diam.; internodes 3.5–5 mm. Leaves all basal; stipules triangular 

or narrowly triangular; petiole 5–20 cm; blade all green, 

broadly ovate to suborbicular, 5–11 × 4–8.5 cm, subleathery, 

nearly flat, adaxially subglabrous, basally 5- or 6-veined, base 

shallowly cordate, apex shortly acuminate or acute. Inflorescences 

a dichasial cyme with 5–15 flowers; staminate flowers 

3–11, pistillate flowers 1–4; bracts lanceolate, ligulate, or oblong. 

Staminate flowers: pedicel 8–30 mm, glabrous; tepals 4, 

outer 2 white or pinkish, suborbicular; inner 2 tepals white, 

oblong; androecium zygomorphic, subglobose; stamens 15–40, 

golf-club-shaped; anthers oblong-obovoid, apex subemarginate. 

Pistillate flowers: pedicel 6.5–13 mm, bracteole absent; tepals 

3, outer 2 tepals white or pinkish, suborbicular; inner tepals 

white, oblong or narrowly obovate; ovary obovoid-ellipsoid, 3- 

winged, 1-loculed with parietal placentation; styles 3; Capsule 

nodding, 10–12 × 4.5–5.5 mm. Fl. Nov–Dec. 

● Limestone hills. Guangxi (Daxin). 

126. Begonia psilophylla Irmscher, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 

21: 39. 1951. 

光滑秋海棠 guang hua qiu hai tang 

Herbs, 29–42 cm tall. Rhizomes to 2.5 cm in diam. Stems 

erect, seen only at anthesis, glabrous. Leaves basal and cauline; 

stipules caducous; petiole to 30 cm, glabrous; blade ovatecordate, 

nearly symmetric, 8–19 × 6–13 cm, glabrous, base 

slightly oblique, rounded or slightly cordate, margin remotely 

and minutely serrulate, apex caudate. Inflorescences glabrous; 

peduncle 8–17 cm; bracts elliptic to ovate-oblong, 7–9 × 4–5 

mm, glabrous. Staminate flowers: pedicel 1.2–1.4 cm tepals 4, 

pink to dark red-brown, outer 2 elliptic, 10–13 × 7–8 mm, inner 

2 obovate-oblong, 8–12 × 3–7 mm; stamens 70–90; filaments 

0.7–2.1 mm; anthers oblong, 0.7–2.9 mm. Pistillate flowers: 

pedicel 0.9–1.1 cm; tepals 5, subequal, oval, largest 6–10 × 4–7 

mm, smallest 6–9 × 4–5 mm; ovary glabrous, 2-loculed; placentae 

axile, bilamellate; styles 2, 2.6–4.2 mm, fused to halfway; 

stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule nodding, ellipsoid, 8–10 

mm, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing falcate, 12–15 × ca. 9 

mm, apex rounded; lateral wings smaller. Fl. Feb. 2n = 23*. 

● Forests, on limestone rocks in shaded moist environments; 100– 

700 m. Yunnan (Hekou). 

127. Begonia pulvinifera C. I Peng & Yan Liu, Bot. Stud. 47: 

319. 2006. 

肿柄秋海棠 zhong bing qiu hai tang 

Herbs. Rhizomes elongate, creeping, to 2 cm in diam. 

Leaves arising from rhizome; stipules triangular, 2.8–3 × 1.7– 

1.9 cm, glabrous, margin entire, apex acuminate or cuspidate, 

persistent; petiole greenish, to 24 cm, glabrous, base reddish 

brown, swollen; blade green, peltate, ovate, slightly asymmetric, 

14–21 × 8–14 cm, glabrous, venation palmate, base 

rounded, margin entire or nearly so, apex acuminate, shortly 

caudate. Inflorescences 17–45 cm, glabrous; peduncle 34–37 

cm; bracts reddish brown, narrowly ovate, 2–2.5 × 0.9–1.2 cm, 

glabrous, margin entire, apex acute to acuminate. Tepals pinkish, 

glabrous. Staminate flowers: pedicel 2.2–3.5(–4.8) cm; tepals 

4, glabrous, outer 2 broadly ovate, 2.3–2.8 × 2.2–2.5 cm, 

inner 2 oblanceolate, 16–18 × 5–8 mm, apex obtuse; stamens 

more than 100; filaments nearly free, 3–5 mm; anthers obovoid, 

ca. 1 mm, apex truncate or subemarginate. Pistillate flowers: 

pedicel 1.3–1.5 cm; tepals 3, glabrous, outer 2 depressed-ovate, 

1.8–2 × 2.4–2.6 cm, inner 1 oblanceolate, 1.2–1.4 × 4–5 mm; 

ovary glabrous, unequally 3-winged, 3-loculed; placentae axile, 

bilamellate; styles 3, 4–4.5 mm, fused at base; stigmas 2-cleft, 

in a spiraled band. Infructescences 17–45 cm; capsules nodding, 

ca. 3.1 cm, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing lunate, ca. 5 

mm; lateral wings smaller, 2–3.5 mm. 

● Forests, on limestone rocks; ca. 300 m. Guangxi (Jingxi). 

This species is known only from the type gathering. It resembles 

Begonia cavaleriei but is distinguishable by having stipules triangular 

with the apex acuminate or cuspidate, the petiole pulvinate, and bracts 

ovate with the apex acute or acuminate. It is also similar to B. wangii 

but differs by having the petiole with a reddish brown swollen base, the 

abaxial surface of the leaf blade pale green, tepals obtuse, those of staminate 

flowers 4, those of pistillate flowers 3, and the ovary with axile 

placentation throughout. 

128. Begonia purpureofolia S. H. Huang & Y. M. Shui, Acta 

Bot. Yunnan. 16: 340. 1994. 

紫叶秋海棠 zi ye qiu hai tang 

Herbs. Rhizomes elongate, to 1.2 cm in diam. Stems to 

100 cm, to 1.5 cm in diam., densely hairy. Leaves basal and 

cauline; stipules caducous, ovate-lanceolate, 8–19 × 5–9 mm, 

abaxially densely pilose, margin ciliate, apex acute; petiole 4– 

24 cm, hairy; blade purple, ovate-triangular, asymmetric, 6.5– 

23 × 4.5–18 cm, densely hairy, venation palmate, base oblique, 

cordate, margin irregularly serrulate and ciliate, shallowly 

lobed, apex acute to acuminate. Inflorescences hairy; peduncle 

8–14 cm; bracts caducous, ovate-lanceolate, 14–15 × 8–9 mm, 

densely villous, margin denticulate, apex acute. Staminate flowers: 

pedicel 1.7–2.6 cm; tepals 4, pink, outer 2 ovate, ca. 1.8 × 

1.2–1.3 cm, abaxially villous, inner 2 oblong, 1.1–1.2 × ca. 0.7 

cm; stamens ca. 150; filaments fused to halfway, 1.6–3.9 mm; 

anthers obovoid-oblong, 0.9–1.4 mm. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 

1.3–1.9 cm; ovary densely villous, 2-loculed; placentae axile, 

bilamellate; tepals 5, pink, broadly ovate to oblong, unequal, 

largest 1.5–1.6 × 1–1.1 cm, abaxially pilose, smallest 1.5–1.6 × 

0.8–1.1 cm; styles 2, fused to halfway, 3.9–5.1 mm; stigmas 2- 

cleft, spiraled. Capsule nodding, unequally 3-winged; abaxial 

wing ligulate, ca. 1.6 × 1.2 cm; lateral wings to 1.2 cm. 

● Forest understories; 900–1700 m. Yunnan (Jinping, Pingbian).


This species is similar to Begonia villifolia but differs by its rhizomatous 

habit and the ligulate abaxial wing of the capsule. 

129. Begonia ravenii C. I Peng & Y. K. Chen, Bot. Bull. Acad. 

Sin. 29: 217. 1988. 

岩生秋海棠 yan sheng qiu hai tang 

Herbs, deciduous. Tubers subglobose, to 2.2 cm in diam.; 

stolons threadlike, to 35 cm, glabrous. Stems often reddish, to 

50 cm tall. Leaves basal and cauline; stipules caducous, ovate, 

5–7 mm, margin serrulate; petiole often reddish, to 25 cm; 

blade ovate, asymmetric, to 27 × 18 cm, abaxially glabrous, 

adaxially sparsely scabrous, venation palmate, 6- or 7-veined, 

base oblique, cordate, margin irregularly serrulate, shallowly 

lobed, apex acute or shortly acuminate. Inflorescences glabrous; 

bracts caducous, narrowly ovate or elliptic, 5–12 × 4–7 mm, 

thinly papery, glabrous, margin serrate, apex acute. Staminate 

flowers: pedicel 0.7–2.5 cm; tepals 2, pinkish to pale purple, 

cordate or oblate, 0.9–2.2 × 1.4–2.1 cm, glabrous; stamens 20– 

49; filaments 1.6–3 mm; anthers obovoid, 1.2–1.8 mm. Pistillate 

flowers: pedicel 1–3.5 cm; tepals 2, rarely 3, pinkish to pale 

purple, suborbicular, 1.2–1.5 cm, base oblique, slightly cordate; 

ovary obovoid, glabrous, 3-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; 

styles 3, fused at base, 1.5–4.2 mm; stigmas 2-cleft, 

spiraled. Capsule pendulous, obovoid-globose, glabrous, subequally 

3-winged. Fl. Oct, fr. Nov. 2n = 36*. 

● On moist, semishaded rocky slopes; 300–1000 m. W Taiwan. 

This species is similar to Begonia grandis but differs by the presence 

of stolons and the 2-tepaled staminate and pistillate flowers. 

130. Begonia reflexisquamosa C. Y. Wu, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 

33: 278. 1995. 

倒鳞秋海棠 dao lin qiu hai tang 

Herbs, 30–60 cm tall. Rhizomes 1–1.3 cm in diam. Stems 

5–6 mm in diam., with dense, reflexed red scalelike hairs. 

Leaves basal and cauline; stipules caducous; petiole to 24 cm, 

ca. 5 mm in diam., reflexed red-brown scalelike hairy; blade 

oblate-orbicular, slightly asymmetric, to 21 × 31 cm, abaxially 

brown hairy, adaxially sparsely or densely hairy, venation palmate, 

5–7-veined, base slightly cordate, margin coarsely serrulate, 

distinctly lobed, divided to 2/3 of leaf length; lobes 5 or 6, 

apex acuminate; lobules present. Staminate flowers: tepals 4, 

white. Pistillate flowers: tepals 5, white. Infructescence redbrown, 

13–17 cm tall, brown scalelike hairy. Capsule nodding, 

oblong, 1.2–2.5 cm, 2-loculed, placentae axile, bilamellate, subequally 

3-winged. Fl. Jul, fr. Aug. 

● Shaded moist mountain slopes; 700–1800 m. Yunnan (Lüchun, 

Pingbian). 

This species is similar to Begonia miranda but differs by the presence 

of cauline leaves and the 2-loculed ovary. 

131. Begonia repenticaulis Irmscher, Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot. Hamburg 

10: 547. 1939. 

匍茎秋海棠 pu jing qiu hai tang 

Herbs. Rhizomes ca. 4.5 mm in diam.; internodes 1.5–5 

cm. Leaves basal; stipules caducous, ovate-oblong, 12–18 × 4– 

6 mm, abaxially rusty villous, apex acuminate; petiole 9–22 cm, 

shortly pilose; blade abaxially pale green, adaxially dark green, 

broadly ovate or suborbicular, asymmetric, 12–16 × 10–14 cm, 

abaxially rusty hispidulous, adaxially rusty brown hispidulous, 

venation palmate, 5–7-veined, base slightly oblique, cordate, 

margin serrulate, shallowly lobed; lobes triangular, apex acuminate. 

Inflorescences 28–31 cm tall, hispidulous. Flowers not 

seen. Capsule nodding, oblong, 8–12 × 4–5 mm, 2-loculed, placentae 

axile, bilamellate, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing oblong 

or narrowly ligulate, 11–13 × ca. 5 mm; lateral wings triangular, 

6–8 mm. Fr. Aug. 

● Yunnan (between Tengchong and Dali). 

This species is similar to Begonia palmata but differs by lacking a 

cauline leaf. 

132. Begonia retinervia D. Fang et al., Bot. Stud. 47: 106. 2006. 

突脉秋海棠 tu mai qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizome creeping, 3–16 mm in diam. 

Leaves all basal; stipules triangular; petiole 3–13 mm; blade 

with white spots along major veins, suborbicular, unlobed or 

rarely very shallowly angular lobed, 4–25 × 3.5–22 cm, thickly 

papery, rugose, basally 6–8-veined, base cordate, margin denticulate 

and ciliolate, apex obtuse to shortly acuminate. Inflorescences 

with 5–40 flowers in a dichasial cyme; peduncle 8–21 

cm; bracts recurved, broadly elliptic, oblong, or obovate. Staminate 

flowers: pedicel 6–25 mm; tepals 4, outer 2 suborbicular, 

oblate, or obovate; inner 2 oblanceolate, obovate, or narrowly 

obovate; androecium zygomorphic; stamens 15–35; anthers oblong-obovoid 

or narrowly so, apex emarginate. Pistillate flowers: 

tepals 3, outer 2 tepals suborbicular or oblate, inner tepal 

pinkish or white, narrowly obovate to obovate, glabrous; ovary 

greenish white or reddish white, broadly ovoid to obovoid, 

adaxially distinctly convex, villous, with parietal placentation; 

wings 3, unequal; lateral wings narrower, curved along length 

of fruit body; abaxial wing obliquely triangular or ligulate, rarely 

obovate-oblong. Capsule nodding, 7–11 × 5–8 mm. Fl. Aug– 

Dec, fr. Nov–Mar. 2n = 30*. 

● Limestone slopes, moist caves; 200–600 m. Guangxi (Du’an). 

133. Begonia rex Putzeys, Fl. Serres Jard. Eur. 2: 141. 1857. 

大王秋海棠 da wang qiu hai tang 

Begonia longiciliata C. Y. Wu. 

Herbs, to 40 cm tall. Rhizomes elongate, 7–14 mm in diam. 

Leaves basal; stipules caducous, 1.4–1.5 × 1.6–1.8 cm, membranous; 

petiole to 35 cm, densely long hirsute; blade abaxially 

purplish, adaxially dark green with a grayish green or silver 

horseshoe-shaped spot, ovate to narrowly ovate, asymmetric, 6– 

33 × 5–21 cm, abaxially sparsely hairy, adaxially long setose, 

venation palmate, 6- or 7-veined, base oblique, cordate, margin 

serrulate and ciliate, apex shortly acuminate. Inflorescences 10– 

13 cm tall, subglabrous. Staminate flowers: pedicel 2.2–3.5 cm; 

tepals 4, pinkish to pink, glabrous, outer 2 oblong-ovate, 1.3–2 

cm × 8–17 mm, apex obtuse to acute, inner 2 oblong-lanceolate, 

0.9–1.8 cm × 3.5–8 mm; stamens 100–120; filaments 2– 

5.4 mm; anthers oblong, 1.3–2.9 mm, apex acuminate. Pistillate 

flowers: pedicel 2.9–3.1 cm; tepals 5, unequal, elliptic to broad-

196 


ly ovate, glabrous, largest ca. 2 × 1.5–1.7 cm, smallest 1.6–1.8 

cm × 6–8 mm, apex acute to obtuse; ovary glabrous, 2-loculed; 

placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 2, free, 4.4–5.2 mm; stigmas 

2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule nodding, unequally 3-winged; abaxial 

wing ligulate or falcate, 1.5–2.5 cm, apex rounded; lateral wings 

lunate, 3.5–5 mm. Fl. May, fr. Aug. 2n = 22*. 

Forests, on rocks and in caves in valleys; 400–1100 m. Guangxi, 

Guizhou, Yunnan [NE India, Vietnam]. 

Begonia sizemoreae Kiew (Gard. Bull. Singapore 56: 95. 2004), 

described from Vietnam, definitely belongs to the same complex as B. 

rex, but the distinction between the two species awaits further study. 

134. Begonia rhynchocarpa Y. M. Shui & W. H. Chen, Acta 

Bot. Yunnan. 27: 370. 2005. 

喙果秋海棠 hui guo qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes creeping, 1–2 mm in diam. 

Leaves basal; stipules lanceolate; petiole 5.5–10 cm, villous; 

blade ovate, 6–7 × 4.5–5 cm, slightly rugose, base slightly and 

obliquely cordate, margin remotely serrate. Inflorescences with 

4–6 flowers in a dichasial cyme; peduncle 4–5.5 cm. Staminate 

flowers: tepals 4, red, outer 2 ovate, ca. 1 × 1.1–1.2 cm, inner 2 

elliptic, apex slightly emarginate. Pistillate flowers: pedicels ca. 

7 mm; tepals 3, pinkish, glabrous, outer 2 broadly obovate, 9– 

10 × 8–9 mm, inner 1 elliptic, ca. 6 × 3 mm; ovary narrowly 

trigonous, 1-loculed with parietal placentation; styles 3, ca. 3 

mm; stigmas reniform, 0.8–0.9 mm. Capsule nodding, narrowly 

trigonous, ca. 12 × 2–3 mm; wings 3, equal, 1–1.5 mm. Fl. Jan– 

May. 

● Secondary forests on limestone hills. Yunnan (Hekou). 

135. Begonia rockii Irmscher, Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot. Hamburg 10: 

544. 1939. 

滇缅秋海棠 dian mian qiu hai tang 

Herbs. Rhizomes elongate, 9–14 mm in diam. Leaves 

basal; stipules triangular-ovate, 5–16 × 3–10 mm, abaxially 

remotely pubescent, apex acute; petiole 3–20 cm, rusty hairy; 

blade abaxially reddish, abaxially dark green with brownish irregular 

fine spots, sometimes with white spots between main 

veins, broadly ovate, asymmetric, 5.5–30 × 3.5–20 cm, abaxially 

hispid, adaxially hispidulous, venation palmate, 6- or 7- 

veined, base strongly oblique, cordate, margin remotely and minutely 

serrulate, ciliate, apex acute or obtuse. Inflorescences 

sparsely hairy; bracts ovate-oblong, 5–8 × 3–5 mm, abaxially 

pilose, margin ciliate, apex obtuse or acute. Staminate flowers: 

pedicel 1–1.8 cm; tepals 4, white, outer 2 broadly ovate or orbicular, 

1–1.9 × 0.7–1.4 cm, abaxially scabrescent, inner 2 obovate, 

8–17 × 6–10 mm; stamens ca. 120; filaments 1–6.1 mm, 

fused at base; anthers obovoid-globose, 1–1.4 mm, apex truncate 

or emarginate. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 0.9–1.1 mm; tepals 

5, white, unequal, broadly ovate to oval, largest 6–10.5 × 

4.4–9.1 mm, abaxially scabrescent, smallest 4.5–9.5 × 3.5–4.7 

mm; ovary elliptic, scabrescent, 2-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; 

styles 2, 2–6.2 mm, fused to halfway; stigmas 2-cleft, 


ligulate, ca. 1.6 × 1.2 cm, apex rounded; lateral wings 5.2–6.6 

mm. Fl. Nov. 

Forests, rock faces; 700–800 m. Yunnan (Yingjiang) [Myanmar]. 

136. Begonia rongjiangensis T. C. Ku, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 33: 

279. 1995. 

榕江秋海棠 rong jiang qiu hai tang 

Herbs, deciduous. Tubers globose, 5–8 mm in diam. Leaves 

basal, 2–5; stipules caducous; petiole 4–9.5 cm, glabrous; blade 

asymmetric, narrowly ovate, 8.5–11 × 5.5–9.5 cm, glabrous, 

venation palmate, 5–7-veined, base oblique, slightly cordate, 

margin shallowly serrate, sometimes biserrate, apex acuminate. 

Inflorescence 15–22 cm tall, glabrous; flowers red; pedicel 3– 

8(–10) mm, glabrous; bracts caducous, lanceolate, ca. 3 mm. 

Staminate flowers: tepals 4, outer 2 depressed-ovate, 6–8 × 6–7 

mm, abaxially villous, inner 2 oblong, 6–8 × 1–2 mm; stamens 

numerous; filaments fused to ca. 1 mm at base; anthers oblong, 

1–2 mm, apex emarginate. Pistillate flowers: tepals 2, broadly 

obovate, 7–8 × 6–7 mm, apex emarginate; ovary oblong, pilose, 

3-winged; abaxial wing oblate-triangular, ca. 10 × 5 mm, apex 

acute; lateral wings smaller, lunate, 1–2 mm; styles 3; stigma 

globose. Fl. Aug. 

● Slopes by streams. Guizhou (Rongjiang). 

This species is similar to Begonia labordei but can be distinguished 

by the 2-tepaled pistillate flowers. 

137. Begonia rotundilimba S. H. Huang & Y. M. Shui, Acta 

Bot. Yunnan. 16: 335. 1994. 

圆叶秋海棠 yuan ye qiu hai tang 


stipules ovate-triangular, ca. 7 × 4 mm, glabrous, apex acuminate 

or acute; petiole 12–16 cm, brown hispidulous; blade ovate 

or oblate-orbicular, asymmetric, 7–8.5 × ca. 6.5 cm, abaxially 

hispidulous, adaxially glabrous or pilose, venation palmate, 6- 

veined, base oblique, cordate, margin irregularly denticulate, 

apex acute. Inflorescences 11–12 cm tall, brown hairy; peduncle 

6.5–11.2 cm, subglabrous; bracts ovate-lanceolate, 1.3–1.4 

cm × ca. 4 mm, glabrous, apex acuminate. Staminate flowers: 

pedicel ca. 1.8 cm; tepals 4, pale, outer 2 orbicular, ca. 1.7 × 1.6 

cm, glabrous, inner 2 smaller, ca. 1.3 × 1 cm; stamens numerous; 

filaments ca. 1.8 mm, fused at base; anthers oblong, ca. 1.8 

mm. Pistillate flowers: pedicel ca. 2.5 cm; tepals 5, glabrous, 

largest orbicular, ca. 1.2 cm, smallest elliptic, 1–1.2 cm × 4–6 


styles 3; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule nodding, ellipsoid, 

ca. 1.4 × 1.2 cm, subequally 3-winged; abaxial wing broadly 

triangular, ca. 6 × 14 mm; lateral wings smaller. Fl. Apr, fr. Jul. 

● Evergreen forests, shaded moist environments; 1600–1800 m. 

Yunnan (Pingbian). 

138. Begonia rubinea H. Z. Li & H. Ma, Bot. Bull. Acad. Sin. 

46: 377. 2005. 

玉柄秋海棠 yu bing qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Leaves basal; stipules rose-pink, triangular, 

5–7 mm, glabrous, margin entire, apex acuminate; petiole 

ruby-red, 13–31 cm, glabrous; blade abaxially rufous, adaxially 

emerald colored, wine colored on veins, obovate, asymmetric, 

3–9 × 2–6 cm, thinly leathery, abaxially sparsely rufous 

tribuloid on veins, adaxially sparsely white tribuloid when


young, venation palmate, 6- or 7-veined, base oblique, cordate, 

margin irregularly crenate, apex acuminate. Inflorescence nearly 

glabrous; peduncle ruby-red, 9–14 cm; bracts subulate, ca. 10 

× 3 mm. Staminate flowers: pedicel ca. 7 mm; tepals 4, pink, 

outer 2 broadly ovate, 1.4–1.8 × 1.3–1.5 cm, abaxially pilose, 

inner 2 lanceolate, 1.2–1.4 cm × 5–6 mm; stamens 15–30; filaments 

fused 2–3 mm at base. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 7–12 

mm; tepals 5, pink, ovate, abaxially sparsely pilose; styles 2, 

fused to halfway; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled; ovary 2-loculed. 

Capsule unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing ligulate, apex obtuse; 

lateral wings smaller, crescent-shaped. 

● Evergreen forests; on moist sandstone; ca. 700 m. N Guizhou 

(Xishui). 

139. Begonia ruboides C. M. Hu ex C. Y. Wu & T. C. Ku, Acta 

Phytotax. Sin. 33: 260. 1995. 

匍地秋海棠 pu di qiu hai tang 

Herbs, prostrate. Rhizomes absent. Stems rooting at nodes. 

Leaves basal; stipules oblong, 5–6 mm, margin entire, apex acuminate; 

petiole 2–6.5 cm, densely brown hirsute; blade orbicular 

or broadly ovate, asymmetric, 2.5–6 × 2–5 cm, abaxially hirsute, 

adaxially red setose, venation palmate, 6- or 7-veined, 

base oblique, shallowly cordate, margin shallowly and remotely 

denticulate, apex rounded. Inflorescences hirsute; bracts ovatelanceolate, 

8–10 mm, glabrous or abaxially hairy, apex acuminate. 

Staminate flowers: pedicel 1–2 cm; tepals 4, white, outer 2 

broadly ovate, ca. 1.5 × 1.4 cm, inner 2 oblong-obovate, ca. 1 

cm × 5–6 mm; stamens numerous; filaments free, ca. 1.2 mm; 

anthers oblong, ca. 0.9 mm. Pistillate flowers: tepals 4 (from 

protologue, requiring confirmation), white, outer 2 broadly 

ovate, 8–10 mm, inner 2 oblong; ovary sparsely hairy, 3-loculed, 

placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 3, fused at base; stigmas 

2-cleft, U-shaped. Capsule nodding, ovoid, unequally 

3-winged; abaxial wing narrowly triangular, ca. 1 cm; lateral 

wings smaller, broadly triangular. Fl. Mar–May, fr. Jun–Jul. 

● Scrubby vegetation and forests, shaded moist environments; 

1300–2200 m. Yunnan (Jinping, Pingbian). 

140. Begonia rubropunctata S. H. Huang & Y. M. Shui, Acta 

Bot. Yunnan. 16: 339. 1994. 

红斑秋海棠 hong ban qiu hai tang 

Herbs. Rhizomes 2–3 cm in diam. Leaves basal; stipules 

ovate, ca. 8 mm, apex acute; petiole 15–25 cm, glabrous, with 

red linear dots; blade orbicular, asymmetric, 15–20 × 15–20 cm, 

sparsely setulose, venation palmate, 5- or 6-veined, base slightly 

oblique, cordate, margin denticulate, 5- or 6-lobed; lobules 

present, apex acuminate to caudate. Inflorescences glabrous; 

bracts broadly ovate, ca. 2 cm, glabrous, apex acute. Staminate 

flowers: pedicel ca. 1 cm; tepals 4, pink, outer 2 broadly obovate, 

ca. 2.2 × 1.5 cm, inner 2 obovate-oblong, ca. 1.8 × 0.8–1 

cm, apex crenate; stamens numerous; filaments fused to halfway, 

1–1.2 mm; anthers oblong, ca. 1.2 mm. Pistillate flowers: 

pedicel 7–8 mm; tepals 4 or 5, pink, suborbicular, glabrous, 

largest one ca. 1 × 1.2 cm, apex acute; ovary 2-loculed, placentae 

axile, bilamellate; styles 2; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. 

Capsule nodding, ellipsoid, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing 

ligulate, ca. 1.5 cm; lateral wings smaller. 

● Forests, limestone rock faces; 600–1100 m. Yunnan (Xishuangbanna). 

This species is similar to Begonia pedatifida but differs by its 

spotted leaves and the petiole with red, linear dots. 

141. Begonia scitifolia Irmscher, Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot. Hamburg 

10: 541. 1939. 

成凤秋海棠 cheng feng qiu hai tang 

Herbs. Rhizomes elongate. Stems very short. Leaves basal; 

stipules caducous; petiole 2.7–4 cm, hairy; blade broadly 

ovate to suborbicular, 9–11 cm, abaxially subglabrous, adaxially 

sparsely hispidulous, base cuneate, margin shallowly and 

remotely serrulate, distinctly lobed, nearly divided to leaf base, 

apex acuminate. Inflorescences (6–)12–15 cm tall, glabrous. 

Staminate flowers: pedicel 1.7–3 cm; tepals 4, outer 2 broadly 

ovate, 0.9–1.2 × 0.9–1.2 cm, abaxially hairy, inner 2 elliptic, 9– 

11 × 5–6 mm; stamens numerous; filaments 1.1–1.5 mm; anthers 

obovoid or oblong-obovoid, 0.9–1.4 mm, apex emarginate. 

Pistillate flowers: pedicel 7–9 mm; tepals 5, unequal, largest 

ovate or broadly elliptic, 7–8 × 5–5.2 mm, abaxially hairy, 

smallest broadly elliptic, 6–7 × 3.4–4 mm; ovary pilose, 2- 

loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 2, 2.5–2.8 mm, free; 

stigmas spiraled. Capsule unequally 3-winged. Fl. Jun. 

● 1300–1600 m. Yunnan (Suijiang). 

This species is similar to Begonia laminariae but differs by its leaf 

blade dividing nearly to the base. 

142. Begonia semiparietalis Yan Liu et al., Bot. Stud. 47: 218. 

2006. 

半侧膜秋海棠 ban ce mo qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes 9–12 mm in diam. Leaves 

basal; stipules triangular or ovate-triangular, 7–10 × 5–9 mm; 

blade with white spots along major veins, sometimes abaxially 

dark brown, with pale green major veins, broadly ovate or suborbicular, 

3.5–15 × 3–13 cm, rugose, adaxially sparsely setulose-pilose, 

basally 5–7-veined, tertiary veins percurrent, base 

deeply cordate. Inflorescence a dichasial cyme with 6–25 flowers; 

peduncle 1.2–3 cm, glabrous; bracts reddish, ovate, oblong, 

or orbicular. Staminate flowers: tepals 4, outer 2 reddish or 

pinkish, suborbicular; inner 2 tepals narrowly obovate or oblanceolate; 

androecium zygomorphic; stamens 13–40; anthers oblong-obovoid, 

apex subemarginate. Pistillate flowers: tepals 3, 

outer 2 tepals pinkish or reddish, suborbicular; inner 1 pinkish 

white, oblanceolate or narrowly obovate, glabrous; ovary reddish, 

ellipsoid, long glandular pilose, unequally 3-winged, 1- 

loculed with parietal placentation above middle, lower half with 

axile placentation; abaxial wing lunate; styles 3. Capsule nodding, 

reddish when fresh. 2n = 30*. 

● Limestone hills. Guangxi (Fusui). 

143. Begonia setifolia Irmscher, Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot. Hamburg 

10: 549. 1939. 

刚毛秋海棠 gang mao qiu hai tang 

Begonia tsaii Irmscher. 

Herbs. Rhizomes elongate, ca. 6 mm in diam. Leaves bas-

198 


al; stipules broadly ovate or triangular-ovate, 5.5–7 × 4–5 mm, 

glabrous, apex cuspidate; petiole 6–12 cm, densely brown villous; 

blade broadly ovate to suborbicular, asymmetric, 5–11 × 

4.5–9 cm, abaxially hirsute when young, adaxially red setose, 

venation palmate, 7- or 8-veined, base cordate, margin indistinctly 

serrulate, apex shortly caudate, rarely acute. Inflorescences 

20–30 cm tall, brown villous; bracts ovate, 4–10 × 2.4–8 

mm, margin ciliate, apex obtuse. Staminate flowers: pedicel 

1.3–1.4 cm; tepals 4, pink, outer 2 broadly ovate to suborbicular, 

0.6–2.2 × 1.6–1.8 cm, abaxially pilose, inner 2 oblong, 

1.1–1.2 cm × 3.8–4.1 mm; stamens numerous; filaments 2–2.5 

mm; anthers elliptic or obovoid, 1–1.4 × ca. 1.7 mm, apex 

emarginate. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 8–9 mm; ovary broadly 

ovoid, 7–8 × 6–7 mm, villous, 3-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; 

tepals 5, unequal, largest suborbicular, 1.1–1.5 × 0.9– 

1.3 cm, glabrous, smallest oblong, 6.5–3.5 mm; styles 3, 3–3.8 

mm; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule nodding, ovoid, unequally 

3-winged; abaxial wing subtriangular, 6–7 mm; lateral wings 

narrowly triangular, 2–3 mm. Fl. May, fr. May. 

● Broad-leaved forests, in shaded moist environments; 1300–2100 

m. SE Yunnan. 

This species is similar to Begonia ruboides but differs by its rhizomatous 

habit. 

144. Begonia setulosopeltata C. Y. Wu, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 35: 

48. 1997 [“setuloso-peltata”]. 

刺盾叶秋海棠 ci dun ye qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes creeping. Leaves all basal, 

peltate, long petiolate; stipules caducous; petiole 4–8 cm, very 

sparsely villous; blade abaxially pale green, adaxially green 

with numerous white dots, ovate or broadly ovate, 4–8 × 4–5.5 

cm, abaxially sparsely hirsute on major veins, adaxially sparsely 

hispidulous or setulose, basally 7-veined, tertiary veins weakly 

percurrent, base slightly cordate to rounded, margin serrulate 

or denticulate, apex acuminate or shortly caudate. Inflorescences 

axillary; peduncle ca. 21 cm, subglabrous; flowers several, 

pale purple, in dichasial cyme; pedicel 1.2–1.5 cm, glabrous; 

bracts caducous, ovate or suborbicular, 7–9 × 4–5 mm, 

margin remotely serrate. Staminate flower: tepals 4, outer 2 

broadly ovate, ca. 1.2 × 1 cm, glabrous, base subrounded, apex 

rounded, inner 2 oblong, ca. 6 × 4 mm, apex obtuse, base 

broadly cuneate; stamens numerous; filaments 1–2 mm; anthers 

obovoid-oblong. Pistillate flower: tepals 4, outer 2 oblate-orbicular, 

inner 2 oblong; ovary oblong, glabrous, with 3 subequal 

wings, placentae parietal; styles fused at base. Capsule nodding, 

15–16 × 4–5 mm. Fl. Feb–Apr, fr. Apr–May. 

● Shaded places of valleys, limestone caves; ca. 300 m. Guangxi 

(Donglan, Hechi). 

145. Begonia sikkimensis A. Candolle, Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot., sér. 

4, 11: 134. 1859. 

锡金秋海棠 xi jin qiu hai tang 

Herbs, ca. 30 cm tall. Rhizomes elongate, ca. 1.5 cm in 

diam. Stems glabrous. Leaves basal and cauline; stipules lanceolate, 

ca. 1.1 cm, membranous, glabrous, apex acuminate; 

petiole 3–15 cm, glabrous; blade suborbicular, slightly asymmetric, 

12–19 × 10–20 cm, glabrous, venation palmate, 5–7- 

veined, base shallowly cordate, margin remotely and shallowly 

denticulate, distinctly lobed, divided to more than 2/3 of leaf 

length; lobes 5–7, apex long acuminate. Inflorescences glabrous; 

peduncle 8–12 cm; bracts ovate-lanceolate, 2–2.5 cm, 

membranous, apex acuminate. Staminate flowers: pedicel 1.5– 

1.8 cm; tepals 4, pink, outer 2 ovate, inner 2 elliptic, smaller; 

stamens numerous; anthers obovoid, ca. 1 mm, apex obtuse. 

Pistillate flowers: tepals 5, unequal; ovary glabrous, 2-loculed; 

placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 2, fused at base; stigmas 2- 

cleft, spiraled. Capsule nodding, obovoid-oblong, 1.5–2 cm × 

6–7 mm, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing oblong-triangular; 

lateral wings smaller. Fl. Aug–Sep, fr. Dec–Jan. 

Evergreen broad-leaved forests, shaded moist environments along 

streams; 800–1200 m. SE Xizang (Mêdog) [Bhutan, NE India, Nepal]. 

146. Begonia silletensis (A. Candolle) C. B. Clarke subsp. 

mengyangensis Tebbitt & K. Y. Guan, Novon 12: 134. 2002. 

厚壁秋海棠 hou bi qiu hai tang 

Herbs, dioecious. Rhizomes elongate, to 3.6 cm in diam. 

Leaves basal; stipules caducous, 1.7–2.7 × 1–1.8 cm, membranous; 

petiole to 75 cm, densely minutely hairy; blade ovate 

or broadly ovate, asymmetric, (11–)13–53 × 11–40 cm, abaxially 

minutely hairy, adaxially subglabrous, venation palmate, 7– 

9-veined, base oblique, deeply cordate, margin remotely serrulate, 

apex caudate-acuminate. Inflorescences axillary and terminal, 

1.2–6(–12) cm, minutely hairy; bracts caducous, membranous. 

Flowers fragrant. Staminate flowers: pedicel to 4.2 cm; 

tepals 4, white, broadly ovate, 2–2.6 × 1.7–2.2 cm, abaxially 

minutely hairy, inner 2 oblate-orbicular, 0.9–2.2 × 0.7–1.4 cm; 

stamens 115–122; filaments 1–2.2 mm, fused to halfway; anthers 

oblong, 2.1–3.1 mm, apex convex. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 

1.5–2.5 cm; tepals 4–6, white, outer 2 broadly elliptic to 

elliptic, 1.2–1.9 × 0.8–1.2 cm, abaxially minutely hairy, inner 2 

elliptic to obovate, 1.1–2 cm × 5–14 mm; ovary densely minutely 

hairy when young, 4-loculed; placentae axile, aberrant; 

styles 4, branched; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Fruit berrylike, 

ellipsoidal, indehiscent, pendulous, ca. 1.3 × 1.8–1.9 cm, lacking 

ridges or wings or with up to 4 unequal, triangular, blunt 

ridges, apex with beak to 4 mm. Fl. Mar–May, fr. Apr–May. 2n 

= 22*. 

● Primary tropical forests, shaded moist environments in valleys 

and along streams; 500–800(–1200) m. S and SW Yunnan. 

Begonia silletensis subsp. silletensis occurs in Bangladesh, NE India, 

Myanmar, and N Thailand. 

147. Begonia sinofloribunda Dorr, Harvard Pap. Bot. 4: 265. 

1999. 

多花秋海棠 duo hua qiu hai tang 

Begonia floribunda T. C. Ku, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 35: 48. 

1997, not Carrière (1875). 

Herbs, erect. Stems sometimes branched, 12–50 cm, 5–10 

mm in diam., somewhat woody in appearance. Leaves cauline; 

stipules caducous, 0.8–1.4 cm × 4–5 mm; petiole 2.5–6 cm, glabrous; 

blade very shallowly peltate (petiole 1–2 mm from margin 

at base), oblong-lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, slightly


asymmetric, 4.5–14 × 1.5–4 cm, glabrous, venation palmatepinnate, 

5- or 6-veined, base rounded, margin remotely and 

minutely serrulate, apex long acuminate or long caudate. Inflorescences 

2–4 cm; glabrous; bracts oblong, 2–7 × 0.6–4 mm, 

glabrous. Staminate flowers: pedicel 0.6–2.6 cm; tepals 2, yellowish 

green, orbicular, 3–8 × 3.5–9 mm; stamens 25–31; filaments 

free, 1–2 mm; anthers obovoid, 0.6–1.1 mm. Pistillate 

flowers: pedicel 0.6–2.6 cm; ovary oblong, 5–7 mm, glabrous, 

3-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; tepals 2(or 3), yellowish 

green, broadly ovate, 3–7 × 4–10 mm; styles 3, fused to halfway, 

2.1–3.3 mm; stigmas 2-cleft, slightly spiraled. Capsule 

pendulous, oblong-ovoid, 1.3–1.4 cm × 6–7 mm, unequally 3- 

winged; abaxial wing triangular, 1.1–1.4 cm; lateral wings 

smaller, 3–4 mm. Fl. Jul, fr. Aug. 

● Forests, on limestone rocks; ca. 200 m. Guangxi (Longzhou). 

148. Begonia sinovietnamica C. Y. Wu, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 35: 

50. 1997 [“sino-veitnamica”]. 

中越秋海棠 zhong yue qiu hai tang 

Herbs. Rhizomes elongate. Stems absent or very short. 

Leaves basal; stipules ovate-oblong, 7–11 mm, membranous, 

abaxially pubescent, margin entire, apex cuspidate; petiole 8–20 

cm, densely reddish brown villous; blade ovate or broadly 

ovate, asymmetric, 5.5–11 × 4.8–8.5 cm, abaxially densely hirsute, 

adaxially hirsute, venation palmate, 6–8-veined, base 

oblique, cordate, margin irregularly serrulate or biserrate, apex 

shortly caudate or acuminate. Inflorescences 9–12 cm tall; hispidulous 

or subglabrous; bracts lanceolate, ca. 8 mm, margin 

ciliate, apex acuminate. Staminate flowers: pedicel 1–1.5 cm; 

tepals 4, white, outer 2 broadly ovate-oblong, ca. 2.1 × 1.6 cm, 

abaxially shortly pilose, inner 2 oblong, ca. 1.2 × 5–6 mm; 

stamens numerous; filaments ca. 1.2 mm, free; anthers oblong, 

ca. 1.5 mm, apex obtuse. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 1–1.5 cm; 

tepals 5, white, outer 2 obovate-oblong, glabrous; ovary glabrous 

or sparsely short-pilose, 3-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; 


nodding, ovoid, ca. 1 × 1.1 cm, subequally 3-winged. Fl. 

Jul, fr. Aug. 

● Understories of broad-leaved forests, on slopes or by streams. 

Guangxi (Dongxing, Guiping). 

149. Begonia smithiana T. T. Yu, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 

21: 44. 1951. 

长柄秋海棠 chang bing qiu hai tang 

Herbs. Rhizomes elongate, 5–10 mm in diam. Stems very 

short. Leaves mostly basal; stipules ovate, 3.5–5 × 2–3 mm, 

subglabrous, apex acuminate; petiole sometimes reddish, to 25 

cm, sparsely to densely hairy; blade sometimes purple-red on 

veins, ovate to broadly ovate, rarely oblong-ovate, asymmetric, 

(3.5–)5–9(–12) × 3–5(–8) cm, abaxially hirsute, adaxially 

sparsely hispidulous, venation palmate, 6- or 7-veined, base 

oblique cordate, margin irregularly serrate, very shallowly lobed, 

apex caudate or acuminate. Inflorescences 12–20(–30) cm tall, 

subglabrous. Staminate flowers: pedicel 1.2–2.0 cm; tepals 4, 

pinkish, outer 2 broadly ovate, 1–1.4 × 0.8–1.6 cm, abaxially 

hairy, inner 2 oblong-ovate, 0.6–1.3 cm × 3–9 mm; stamens 68– 

81; filaments 1–3.9 mm, fused at base; anthers obovoid, 1–1.7 

mm. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 1.2–1.5 cm; tepals 5, pinkish, 

largest broadly ovate, 8–14 × 7–13 mm, abaxially pilose, smallest 

narrowly elliptic to oblong-obovate, 4–14 × 2–10 mm; 

ovary sparsely hairy, 2-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; 

styles 2, fused to 2/3, ca. 4.7 mm; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule 

nodding, obovoid-globose, unequally 3-winged; abaxial 

wing subtriangular, ca. 1.5 cm, apex obtuse; lateral wings smaller. 

Fl. Aug, fr. Sep. 

● Forests or scrubby vegetation, on rocks in shaded moist environments 

along streams or in valleys; 700–1300 m. Guizhou, Hubei, 

Hunan, Sichuan. 

150. Begonia subhowii S. H. Huang, Acta Bot. Yunnan. 21: 20. 

1999. 

粉叶秋海棠 fen ye qiu hai tang 

Herbs. Rhizomes elongate. Stems absent or very short. 

Leaves mostly basal; petiole 18–20 cm, glabrous; blade obliquely 

ovate, asymmetric, 4.5–9 × 10–11 cm, glabrous, venation 

palmate, base cordate, margin irregularly serrulate, apex acute 

to shortly caudate. Inflorescences glabrous; bracts ovate, to 5 × 

3 cm, glabrous, apex acuminate. Staminate flowers: pedicel 1–2 

cm; tepals 4, white to pinkish, outer 2 elliptic, ca. 2 × 1.2 cm, 

glabrous, inner 2 oblong, ca. 1.5 × 0.6 cm; stamens numerous; 

filaments ca. 1 mm; anthers obovoid-oblong, ca. 1.5 mm, apex 

rounded. Pistillate flowers: pedicel ca. 1.5 cm; tepals 5, white to 

pinkish, unequal, broadly ovate to broadly elliptic; ovary glabrous, 

2-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 2, free; 


abaxial wing ligulate, ca. 1.5 × 1.3 cm; lateral wings ca. 7 mm. 

Forest understories, on limestone; 700–1500 m. Yunnan (Malipo) 

[Vietnam]. 

This species is similar to Begonia howii but differs by its obliquely 

ovate leaves and the bracts up to 5 cm. 

151. Begonia sublongipes Y. M. Shui, Acta Bot. Yunnan. 26: 

484. 2004. 

保亭秋海棠 bao ting qiu hai tang 

Herbs, prostrate. Stems 28–30 cm, sparsely hispid. Leaves 

cauline; stipules ovate-triangular, 8–9 × 3–4 mm, glabrous, 

apex acuminate and cuspidate; petiole 5–14 cm, hispid; blade 

ovate-elliptic, asymmetric, 7–8 × ca. 4.5 cm, abaxially glabrous, 

adaxially pubescent on veins, venation palmate-pinnate, 5- or 6- 

veined, base strongly oblique, cordate, margin shallowly and 

sparsely denticulate, apex shortly acuminate. Staminate flowers: 

tepals 2. Pistillate flowers not seen. Capsule solitary, axillary, 

broadly obtriangular, ca. 1.8 × 2 cm, glabrous, subequally 3- 

winged, 3-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 3, 2–2.5 

mm, free; stigmas U-shaped, spiraled. 

● Forests. Hainan (Baoting). 

Begonia sublongipes is known only from the type gathering made 

in 1936. Further gatherings would be desirable to understand this entity. 

152. Begonia suboblata D. Fang & D. H. Qin, Acta Phytotax. 

Sin. 42: 177. 2004. 

都安秋海棠 du an qiu hai tang

200 


Herbs rhizomatous. Rhizomes creeping, sometimes 

branched, villous; internodes 3–6 × 2–6 mm. Leaves all basal; 

stipules broadly or very broadly ovate, 3–5 × 3–6 mm, fimbriate; 

petiole 2–11 cm, densely villous; blade with veins 

purple-red on both surfaces when young, oblate-orbicular or 

reniform, 2.5–6 × 3.4–8 cm, herbaceous or thickly so, abaxially 

villous on veins, adaxially sparsely long-hirsute, basally 6–8- 

veined, smaller veins obscure, tertiary veins randomly reticulate, 

base cordate, margin denticulate and long-ciliate, without a 

distinct apex. Inflorescence axillary; peduncle 4–12 cm, glabrous 

or subglabrous; flowers 2–4 in 1–2 times branched dichasial 

cyme; bracts caducous, glabrous. Staminate flowers: pedicel 

5–15 mm; tepals 4, outer 2 nearly oblate-orbicular, 9–10 × 

11–13 mm, inner 2 obovate, 6–7 × 3–3.5 mm, apex obtuse; stamens 

numerous; filaments 1–1.5 mm; anthers obovoid, ca. 1.2 

mm, apex subemarginate. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 6–10 mm; 

tepals 3, outer 2 nearly oblate-orbicular, ca. 6 × 8 mm, inner 

narrowly obovate, ca. 5 × 2.5 mm, apex obtuse; styles 3, fused 

at base, ca. 1 mm; ovary glabrous, 3-loculed at middle to lower 

part, placentation septal (parietal toward summit of ovary). 

Capsule nodding, ovoid, 7–10 × 5–7 mm, glabrous, unequally 

3-winged; abaxial wing lunate or suborbicular, ca. 5 mm. Fl. 

Apr. 

● On limestone rocks in forests; ca. 800 m. Guangxi (Du’an). 

153. Begonia summoglabra T. T. Yu, Bull. Fan Mem. Inst. 

Biol., n.s., 1: 117. 1948. 

光叶秋海棠 guang ye qiu hai tang 

Herbs, deciduous. Tubers globose, 5–8(–20) mm in diam. 

Leaves usually solitary, basal; stipules caducous, triangularovate, 

membranous, margin ciliate, apex acuminate; petiole 5.5– 

14.5 cm, glabrous; blade oblong-ovate, asymmetric, 8–16.2 × 

4–11 cm, succulent, glabrous, venation palmate, base oblique, 

shallowly cordate, margin remotely serrulate; apex acuminate. 

Inflorescence terminal, 8–13 cm tall, glabrous; bracts caducous, 

lanceolate, 3–5 mm, membranous. Staminate flowers: pedicel 

8–10 mm; tepals 2, pink, suborbicular, ca. 1 × 1 mm; stamens 

numerous; filaments free, ca. 0.8 mm; anthers oblong, ca. 1 

mm, apex emarginate. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 9–10 mm; tepals 

2, pink, broadly ovate or suborbicular, ca. 8 × 6 mm; ovary 

3-loculed; placentae axile, undivided; styles 3, free; stigmas U- 

shaped. Capsule immature, unequally 3-winged. Fl. Dec. 

● On rocks in moist environments; ca. 1400 m. Yunnan (Pingbian). 

154. Begonia ×taipeiensis C. I Peng, Bot. Bull. Acad. Sin. 41: 


台北秋海棠 tai bei qiu hai tang 

Herbs. Rhizomes ca. 1.2 cm in diam. Stems erect, 6–45 

cm, glabrous. Leaves basal and cauline; stipules caducous, 

broadly ovate or triangular, 8(–17) × 8(–15) mm, glabrous, 

margin entire, apex apiculate; petiole to 26(–35) cm, glabrous 

or sparsely pilose; blade asymmetric, lanceolate-ovate to ovate, 

6–14(–25) × 2.5–6.7(–11.5) cm, herbaceous, sparsely scaberulous, 

venation palmate-pinnate, base obliquely cordate, margin 

irregularly denticulate or serrulate, very shallowly lobed; apex 

acuminate to apiculate. Inflorescences to 5 cm, glabrous; peduncle 

ca. 3 cm; bracts caducous, lanceolate to ovate, to 8(–17) 

× 3(–12) mm, glabrous, margin ciliate, apex mucronate. Staminate 

flowers: tepals 4, white or pinkish, glabrous, outer 2 broadly 

ovate, 4–9 × 4–10 mm, inner 2 broadly elliptic, 4–8 × 3–6 

mm; stamens 71–96; filaments free; anthers obovoid, 0.8–1.2 × 

0.4–0.5 mm. Pistillate flowers: tepals 5 or 6, white or pinkish, 

glabrous, obovate to broadly obovate, unequal, 12–18 × 6–15 


styles 2 or 3, free; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule nodding or 

pendulous, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing triangular, 5–7 × 

5–7 mm; lateral wings 1.8–3 mm. 2n = 41*. 

● Forests; 200–500 m. N Taiwan (Taibei). 

This taxon is a natural hybrid between Begonia formosana and B. 

longifolia. 

155. Begonia taiwaniana Hayata, J. Coll. Sci. Imp. Univ. Tokyo 

30(1): 125. 1911. 

台湾秋海棠 tai wan qiu hai tang 

Begonia taiwaniana var. albomaculata S. S. Ying. 

Herbs. Rhizomes short, stout. Stems 40–200 cm tall, branching 

twice or more, glabrous. Leaves cauline; stipules caducous, 

narrowly ovate, to 2.7 × 1.9 cm; petiole to 4(–7) cm, glabrous; 

blade green, occasionally with white dots, lanceolate, asymmetric, 

6–14 × 1.5–4 cm, remotely scaberulous, venation palmatepinnate, 

5–8-veined, base oblique, cordate, margin irregularly 

serrulate, apex acuminate to caudate. Inflorescences 5–11 cm, 

glabrous; bracts caducous, narrowly triangular, to 2.1 × 0.9 cm, 

thickly papery, margin entire, apex acuminate. Staminate flowers: 

pedicel 1–2 cm; tepals 4, white to pinkish, glabrous, outer 2 

obovate to very broadly obovate, 0.9–1.8 × 0.8–1.7 cm; inner 2 

oblanceolate to narrowly obovate, 0.8–1.6 cm × 4–8 mm; stamens 

64–91; filaments free; anthers very narrowly obovoid, 

0.9–1.8 mm. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 1–2 cm; tepals 5(or 6), 

subequal, narrowly obovate to orbicular, 0.7–1.6 cm × 4–14 


styles 3, free; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule pendulous, unequally 

3-winged; abaxial wing falcate, 1.7–2 cm; lateral wings 

smaller. Fl. Jun–Oct. 2n = 38*. 

● Forest understories. S Taiwan. 

156. Begonia taliensis Gagnepain, Bull. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat. 

15: 279. 1919. 

大理秋海棠 da li qiu hai tang 


Leaves 1(or 2), basal or sometimes 1 cauline; stipules caducous, 

membranous; petiole 21–41 cm, subglabrous or pilose; 

blade purplish on veins, suborbicular or oblate-orbicular, slightly 

asymmetric, (10–)13–23 × (13–)17–26 cm, abaxially subglabrous 

or sparsely hirsute, adaxially sparsely hirsute, venation 

palmate, 7–9-veined, base cordate, margin irregularly serrate, 

distinctly lobed, divided to 2/3 of leaf length; lobes 7–9, 

apex acute to acuminate; lobule present. Inflorescences terminal, 

racemose at base, 19–30 cm tall, glabrous; bracts caducous, 

ovate-lanceolate, ca. 5 mm, membranous, apex obtuse. Staminate 

flowers: pedicel 1.2–2.5 cm; tepals 4, pinkish, outer 2 

broadly ovate, ca. 1.2 × 1 cm, inner 2 oblong, ca. 7 × 3 mm; 

stamens numerous; filaments ca. 1.2 mm, free; anthers obovoid,


ca. 1.1 mm, apex emarginate. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 1.2–2.5 

cm; tepals 3, pinkish, outer 2 ovate, ca. 10 × 8 mm, inner 2 

oblong, ca. 5.5 × 3 mm; ovary glabrous, veins distinct, 3-loculed; 

placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 3, fused at base; styles 

3; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule pendulous, ovoid-oblong, 

1.2–1.5 cm × 7–8 mm, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing triangular, 

2–2.4 × ca. 1.2 cm; lateral wings smaller, ca. 1.2 cm. 

Fl. Aug, fr. Sep. 

● Scrubby vegetation, forests; 1300–2400 m. W Yunnan. 

157. Begonia tengchiana C. I Peng & Y. K. Chen, Bot. Bull. 

Acad. Sin. 46: 265. 2005. 

藤枝秋海棠 teng zhi qiu hai tang 

Herbs. Rhizomes to 2.1 cm in diam. Stems 38–80 cm tall, 

to 1.8 cm in diam. Leaves basal and cauline; stipules caducous, 

ovate to broadly ovate, to 2.4 × 1.9 cm, margin entire, apex acuminate; 

petiole glabrous, 7–23 cm; blade ovate to suborbicular, 

9–25 × 7–18 cm, abaxially glabrous, adaxially sparsely scaberulous, 

venation palmate to palmate-pinnate, 6–9-veined, base 

oblique, cordate, margin remotely irregularly serrate or denticulate, 

apex acuminate. Inflorescences 10–24 cm; peduncle to 18 

cm; bracts caducous, ovate to broadly ovate, 0.7–1.8 cm × 4–13 

mm, thickly papery, glabrous, margin serrate, apex acute. Staminate 

flowers: tepals 4, margin slightly irregularly dentate, outer 

2 broadly orbicular to orbicular, 1.1–2.3 × 0.9–2.2 cm, abaxially 

strigillose, inner 2 oblanceolate to narrowly obovate, 1–2.1 cm 

× 5–11 mm; stamens 39–68; anthers broadly oblanceolate to 

narrowly obovate, 1.9–2.3 mm; filaments 1.2–2.6 mm. Pistillate 

flowers: bracteoles in pairs, ca. 1 cm, narrowly lanceolate; tepals 

5(or 6), unequal or subequal, narrowly obovate to very 

broadly obovate, largest 0.9–1.9 × 0.6–1.7 cm, smallest 0.7–1.6 

cm × 3–9 mm; ovary subglabrous, locules 3; placentae axile, 

bilamellate; styles 3, 4.2–5.1 mm, stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. 

Capsule nodding, trigonous, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing 

shallowly triangular, to 5 mm; lateral wings to 3 mm. 2n = 82*. 


158. Begonia truncatiloba Irmscher, Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot. Hamburg 

10: 534. 1939. 

截叶秋海棠 jie ye qiu hai tang 

Herbs, to 80 cm tall. Rhizomes elongate. Stems to 1.7 cm 

in diam. Leaves basal and cauline; stipules oblong, to 4 cm, 

glabrous, apex acute, acuminate, or cuspidate; petiole to 45 cm, 

densely minutely hairy; blade ovate or oblate-orbicular, asymmetric, 

8–30 × 9–30 cm, densely minutely hairy when young, 

venation palmate, 7–9-veined, base slightly oblique, deeply cordate, 

margin irregularly denticulate, shallowly lobed, divided to 

1/3 of leaf length; lobes 5–7, apex acuminate. Inflorescences 

subglabrous; bracts caducous, ovate, to 2 cm, glabrous. Staminate 

flowers: pedicel 0.6–1.9 cm; tepals 4, white, outer 2 ovate, 

1.5–1.8 × 1.1–1.7 cm, glabrous, inner 2 obovate, 1.1–1.6 cm × 

5.5–10 mm; stamens more than 200; filaments 2–4.2 mm; anthers 

oblong, 1.3–2.5 mm. Pistillate flowers: pedicel ca. 1.5 cm; 

tepals 5, white, unequal, largest ovate, 1.5–1.6 × 1.1–1.2 cm, 

smallest ca. 1.3 × 0.8 cm; ovary glabrous or minutely hairy 

when young, 2-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 2, 

ca. 5.4 mm, free; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule nodding, oblong-elliptic, 

1.8–2.1 cm × 7–10 mm, unequally 3-winged; abaxial 

wing broadly ligulate, 1.3–1.5 × 1–1.3 cm, apex obtuse; lateral 

wings smaller, 3–5 mm. Fl. May, fr. Jun. 2n = 22*. 

● Forests or in scrubby vegetation, shaded moist environments on 

slopes, in valleys or along streams; 1000–1600 m. SE Yunnan. 

This species is similar to Begonia edulis but differs by the truncate 

lobes of the leaf blade. 

159. Begonia tsoongii C. Y. Wu, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 33: 280. 

1995. 

观光秋海棠 guan guang qiu hai tang 

Herbs, dwarf. Rhizomes ca. 2 mm in diam. Leaves basal; 

stipules membranous, caducous; petiole 4.8–7.5 cm, sparsely 

brown hairy; blade oblong-ovate or rhomboid-ovate, slightly 

asymmetric, 6–6.5 × 1.9–3 cm, abaxially brown hairy, adaxially 

subglabrous or sparsely hispidulous, venation palmate-pinnate, 

5-veined, base cuneate to broadly cuneate, margin remotely serrulate, 

apex acuminate or caudate-acuminate. Inflorescences 7– 

17 cm tall, glabrous or subglabrous, with 1 or 2 flowers; bracts 

oblong or ovate, 6–8 × ca. 4 mm, membranous. Staminate flowers: 

pedicel 4–12 mm; tepals 4, outer 2 broadly ovate or broadly 

oblong, ca. 8 × 6 mm, inner 2 obovate-oblong, ca. 6 × 4 mm; 

stamens numerous; filaments free; anthers oblong or obovoid. 

Pistillate flowers: tepals 4 or 5; ovary glabrous, probably 2-loculed; 

styles 2, ca. 2 mm, entirely fused; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. 

Capsule nodding, oblong, 1.1–1.3 cm × ca. 8 mm, unequally 

3-winged; abaxial wing ovate-oblong, ca. 1.3 × 1 cm, apex 

rounded; lateral wings smaller, 2–3 mm. Fl. Jul–Aug, fr. Aug. 

● Guangxi (Qinzhou). 

This species is known only from the type gathering made in 1916. 

160. Begonia umbraculifolia Y. Wan & B. N. Chang, Acta Phytotax. 

Sin. 25: 322. 1987. 

伞叶秋海棠 san ye qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Leaves all basal; blade peltate, basally 

6(or 7)-veined, tertiary veins percurrent, mostly opposite, ± concave, 

spiderweblike. Inflorescences axillary, dichasial cymose. 

Staminate flowers: pedicel 1.5–3 cm; tepals 4, outer 2 broadly 

ovate, 1.6–1.9 × 1.4–1.7 cm, base subrounded, apex obtuse or 

rounded, outside hairy, inner 2 elliptic, 7–10 × 4–6 mm, apex 

obtuse; stamens numerous; anthers obovoid-oblong, apex subtruncate. 

Pistillate flowers: pedicel 3–6 cm; tepals 3, outer 2 

suborbicular or broadly ovate, 1.5–1.8 × 1.6–2 cm, apex and 

base rounded, inner 1 elliptic; ovary ovoid-oblong, unequally 3 

winged, 1-loculed with parietal placentation; styles 3, fused at 

base. Capsule nodding, 14–26 × 5–8 mm. 

● Forest understories, valleys, on limestone; 200–500 m. Guangxi. 

1a. Rhizome long creeping, internodes 

2–4 cm; blade adaxially sparsely 

hispid; tepals pink; pedicel of 

pistillate flower without bracteole; 

ovary sparsely hirsute-villous ... 160a. var. umbraculifolia 

1b. Rhizome stout, internodes 0.5–1 

cm; blade adaxially densely shortly

202 


hispid and setulose; tepals white; 

pedicel of pistillate flower with a 

bracteole; ovary hispid and 

hispidulose ........................................ 160b. var. flocculosa 

160a. Begonia umbraculifolia var. umbraculifolia 

伞叶秋海棠 ( 原变种 ) san ye qiu hai tang (yuan bian zhong) 

Rhizome long creeping, 5–8 mm in diam.; internodes 2–4 

cm. Leaves peltate; stipules lanceolate, narrowly ovate or elliptic, 

1.5–2 × 0.7–1.5 cm; petiole 6–40 cm, villous to sparsely villous; 

blade abaxially pale green, adaxially deep green or browngreen, 

pale green on veins, suborbicular or broadly ovate, 6–23 

× 4–16 cm, herbaceous, abaxially hispid-pilose on veins, adaxially 

sparsely hispid, base rounded, slightly oblique, margin remotely 

and shallowly unequally serrate or undulate, apex acuminate 

to caudate. Inflorescences axillary; peduncle 25–30 cm, 

very sparsely retrorse-villous; flowers pink; bracts oblong to 

ovate, 10–15 × 6–7 mm, margin indistinctly and shallowly denticulate, 

apex obtuse. Staminate flowers: pedicel 1.5–2 cm, 

glandular villous; tepals 4, outer 2 broadly ovate, 1.6–1.9 × 1.4– 

1.7 cm, outside sparsely villous, base subrounded, apex rounded, 

inner 2 narrow, elliptic, 7–8 × ca. 4 mm, apex obtuse; stamens 

numerous; filaments ca. 1.3 cm; anthers obovoid-oblong, 

1.2–2 cm, apex subtruncate. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 3–4 cm, 

glandular villous; outer 2 tepals 1.5–1.8 × 1.6–2 cm, inner tepal 

ca. 8 mm; ovary ca. 10 × 8 mm, sparsely hirsute-villous. Capsule 

nodding, 1.4–1.6 cm, 3-winged. Fl. Oct–Nov. 2n = 30*. 

● Forest understories, valleys, on limestone; ca. 200 m. Guangxi 

(Long’an). 

160b. Begonia umbraculifolia var. flocculosa Y. M. Shui & 

W. H. Chen, Acta Bot. Yunnan. 27: 372. 2005. 

簇毛伞叶秋海棠 cu mao san ye qiu hai tang 

Rhizome stout, 1–2 cm in diam.; internodes 5–10 mm. 

Leaves all basal; petiole hirsute-villous; blade 10–21 × 7–16 

cm, distinctly rugose, abaxially densely red setose and setulose 

on veins, adaxially densely shortly hispid and setulose. Staminate 

flowers: white or very slightly pinkish, outer 2 tepals abaxially 

densely hispid. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 4–6 cm, with 1 

bracteole; ovary hispid and hispidulose. Fl. Sep–Oct. 2n = 30*. 

● Forest understories, valleys, limestone rock faces; 200–500 m. 

Guangxi (Daxin). 

161. Begonia variifolia Y. M. Shui & W. H. Chen, Acta Bot. 

Yunnan. 27: 372. 2005. 

变异秋海棠 bian yi qiu hai tang 

Herbs, rhizomatous. Rhizomes 2–3 mm in diam.; internodes 

2–3 mm. Leaves basal; stipules reflexed, ovate, 5–6 × 3– 

4 mm; petiole 3–5 cm, densely hirsute-villous; blade ovate, 6– 

10 × 4–6 cm, papery, rugose, base cordate to peltate, margin serrulate 

and ciliate, apex acute. Inflorescences axillary, with 6–13 

flowers in a dichasial cyme; peduncle 8–21 cm, hirsute-villous; 

bracts oblong. Staminate flowers: tepals 4, outer 2 pink, with red 

veins, suborbicular, inner 2 pinkish, obovate; androecium zygomorphic; 

stamens numerous; anthers obovoid. Pistillate flowers: 

tepals 3, rarely 4, outer 2 pink, orbicular, glabrous; ovary 

coniform, villous, 3-winged, 1-loculed with parietal placentation; 

styles 3. Capsule nodding, ovate; subequally 3-winged; 

abaxial wing broadly oblong, 2–3 mm, apex subtruncate. Fl. 

Feb–Jun. 

● Limestone hills; ca. 500 m. Guangxi (Bama). 

162. Begonia versicolor Irmscher, Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot. Hamburg 

10: 546. 1939. 

变色秋海棠 bian se qiu hai tang 


stipules ovate or broadly triangular, 8–9 × 5.6–8 mm, abaxially 

brown hairy, apex cuspidate; petiole 10–14.5(–20) cm, brown 

hairy; blade green or red-purple on veins or with red-purple 

veins on green lamina, sometimes with white spots between 

veins, broadly ovate, strongly asymmetric, 5–11.6 × 4–9.4 cm, 

densely villous, venation palmate, 5–7-veined, base strongly 

oblique, deeply cordate, margin densely and minutely denticulate, 

apex shortly acuminate or shortly caudate. Inflorescences 

14–20 cm tall, sparsely brown villous; bracts broadly oblong or 

oblong-ovate, 5–6.8 × 1.5–2 mm, abaxially brown villous, apex 

obtuse or acute. Staminate flowers: pedicel ca. 7 mm; tepals 

4(or 5), pink, outer 2 suborbicular, 8–9 × 7–8 mm, abaxially villous, 

inner 2(or 3) oblong, 4–5 × 1.5–2 mm, apex acute; stamens 

numerous; filaments ca. 1.5 mm; anthers obovoid-oblong, 

ca. 1 mm. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 1–1.4 cm; tepals 5, unequal, 

largest suborbicular, ca. 10 × 9.3 mm, abaxially villous, 

smallest broadly obovate, ca. 6.5 × 3 mm; ovary oblong, ca. 4.5 

× 2.5 mm, villous, 2-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 

3, fused at base; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule nodding, obovoid-oblong, 

unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing triangular or ligulate, 

1.3–1.4 × ca. 1 cm, apex obtuse; lateral wings smaller. Fl. 

Jun–Sep, fr. Jul. 2n = 22*. 

● Forests, shaded moist environments on slopes or along stream 

banks; 1800–2100 m. SE Yunnan. 

163. Begonia villifolia Irmscher, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 

21: 43. 1951. 

长毛秋海棠 chang mao qiu hai tang 

Herbs, to 80 cm tall. Rhizomes poorly developed, only 

seen in young stage. Stems to 1.5 cm in diam., densely long 

hirsute. Leaves cauline; stipules oblong-ovate, to 3.7 cm, membranous, 

abaxially villous, apex cuspidate; petiole to 36 cm, 

densely long-hirsute; blade broadly ovate to ovate, rarely narrowly 

ovate, asymmetric, 9–34 × 7–25 cm, densely long villous, 

venation palmate, 6-veined, base oblique, cordate, margin 

densely and irregularly serrate, shallowly lobed, divided to 1/3 

of leaf length; lobes 3 or 4, apex long acuminate or caudateacuminate. 

Inflorescences 5–6 cm, densely villous; bracts caducous, 

hairy. Staminate flowers: pedicel 1–3 cm; tepals 4, white, 

outer 2 broadly obovate, 1.2–2.9 × 0.8–2.2 cm, abaxially villous, 

inner 2 obovate, 2.6–2.7 × ca. 1.7 cm; stamens ca. 400; 

filaments 1.1–3.5 mm, free; anthers elliptic, 1.8–3.1 mm, apex 

acute. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 1–2.1 cm; tepals 5, subequal, 

variable in shape, 0.8–2.1 × 0.6–1.7 cm, abaxially villous; 

ovary densely villous, 2-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate;


styles 2, fused at base, 4.8–9 mm; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule 

nodding, ellipsoid, 9–11 × 6–7 mm, unequally 3-winged; 

abaxial wing elliptic to orbicular, 2–3 cm; lateral wings smaller, 

4–5 mm. Fl. May–Jul, fr. Jul. 

Forests or scrubby vegetation, on rocks of shaded moist slopes or 

along streams; (1100–)1600–1700 m. SE Yunnan [Myanmar, Vietnam]. 

164. Begonia wangii T. T. Yu, Bull. Fan Mem. Inst. Biol., n.s., 

1: 126. 1948. 

少瓣秋海棠 shao ban qiu hai tang 

Begonia cavaleriei H. Léveillé var. pinfaensis H. Léveillé. 

Herbs. Rhizomes elongate, to 2.5 cm in diam. Leaves basal; 

stipules ovate, 0.8–1.9 cm × 4–12 mm, glabrous, apex acuminate 

or cuspidate; petiole to 30 cm, glabrous; blade abaxially 

red, adaxially dark green, peltate, ovate-oblong to ovate-lanceolate, 

slightly asymmetric, 7–20 × 3–11 cm, ca. 2 mm thick, glabrous, 

venation palmate, 5–7-veined, base rounded, margin entire, 

apex acuminate. Inflorescences to 40 cm, glabrous; bracts 

ovate, 5–8 × 3–6 mm, glabrous, apex acuminate. Staminate flowers: 

pedicel 0.9–1.9 cm; tepals 2, pink, broadly ovate to oblateorbicular, 

1.5–1.9 × 1.2–2.3 cm, apex acute; stamens ca. 60; 

filaments 1–3.7 mm, fused at base; anthers obovoid, 0.8–1.7 

mm, apex truncate or emarginate. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 

2.5–3.6 cm; tepals 2, pink, orbicular-ovate, 1.4–2.1 × 1–2.5 cm, 

apex acute; ovary 3-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 

3, 5.5–8.1 mm, free; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule nodding, 

unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing lunate, ca. 5 × 1.9–2 cm; lateral 

wings smaller, ca. 2 mm. 

● Scrubby vegetation, on limestone rocks; (600–)800–1000 m. W 

Guangxi (Jingxi, Napo), SE Yunnan (Malipo). 

165. Begonia wenshanensis C. M. Hu ex C. Y. Wu & T. C. Ku, 

Acta Phytotax. Sin. 33: 262. 1995. 

文山秋海棠 wen shan qiu hai tang 

Herbs, 26–35(–39) cm tall. Rhizomes poorly developed, 

8–10 mm in diam. Stems subglabrous, sometimes branching. 

Leaves cauline; stipules caducous, ovate-lanceolate, ca. 7 mm, 

membranous, subglabrous, apex obtuse; petiole 2–4 cm, subglabrous; 

blade triangular-ovate, asymmetric, 7–12 × 4.5–7 cm, 

abaxially glabrous or sparsely hispidulous, adaxially sparsely 

hispidulous, base oblique, cordate, margin irregularly denticulate, 

very shallowly lobed, apex acuminate or caudate-acuminate. 

Inflorescences 3.5–7 cm, glabrous; bracts lanceolate, 6–8 

mm, membranous. Staminate flowers: pedicel 1–1.2 cm; tepals 

4, pinkish, outer 2 narrowly ovate, 1–1.3 cm, abaxially villous, 

inner 2 elliptic, ca. 3 × 1.5 mm; stamens numerous; filaments 

ca. 2 mm, fused to halfway; anthers oblong, ca. 0.8 mm. Pistillate 

flowers: pedicel 1–1.2 cm; tepals 3, pinkish, unequal, largest 

broadly ovate, ca. 10 × 9 mm, glabrous, smallest elliptic, ca. 

5 × 2 mm; ovary glabrous, 3-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; 

styles 3; stigmas U-shaped, slightly spiraled. Capsule pendulous, 

ellipsoid, 9–11 × 5–6 mm, unequally 3-winged; abaxial 

wing narrowly triangular or falcate, ca. 1 cm; lateral wings smaller. 

Fl. Jul–Aug, fr. Aug. 

● Evergreen broad-leaved forests, moist environments along 

streams; 1400–2200 m. Yunnan (Funing, Wenshan). 

166. Begonia wilsonii Gagnepain, Bull. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat. 

25: 281. 1919. 

一点血 yi dian xie 

Herbs, deciduous. Tubers compressed, 0.8–1.2(–1.5) cm in 

diam. Leaves usually 1(or 2); stipules caducous, ovate-lanceolate; 

petiole 11–19(–25) cm, subglabrous; blade sometimes purple 

abaxially, broadly ovate, slightly asymmetric, 12–20 × 8–18 

cm, subglabrous, venation palmate, 6- or 7-veined, base oblique, 

shallowly cordate, margin irregularly serrulate, shallowly lobed, 

divided to 1/3 of leaf length; lobes 3–7(–9), apex long caudate. 

Inflorescences terminal, racemose at base, glabrous; peduncle 

8–35(–50) cm; bracts ovate-lanceolate, ca. 5 × 2 mm, membranous, 

apex acuminate. Staminate flowers: pedicel 1–1.5 cm; tepals 

4, pinkish, outer 2 ovate to broadly ovate, 1.1–1.2 × 1.1– 

1.4 cm, glabrous; inner 2 oblong-obovate, 0.8–1.2 cm × 4–7 

mm; stamens 8–13; filaments fused at base, 1.7–2 mm; anthers 

obovoid-oblong, 1.4–2 mm, apex rounded or emarginate. Pistillate 

flowers: pedicel 1.8–2.2 cm; tepals 3 or 4, pinkish, outer 2 

broadly oblong or suborbicular, 12–14 × 9–10 mm, inner 1 or 2 

elliptic, 5–10 × 2–6 mm; ovary glabrous, 3-loculed; placentae 

axile, undivided; styles 3, ca. 3 mm, nearly free; stigmas U- 

shaped. Capsule pendulous, trigonous, clavate, 1–1.2 cm × 3– 

5 mm, wingless. Fl. Aug, fr. Sep. 

● Forest understories, on rocks in shaded moist environments on 

slopes or along streams. Chongqing (Nanchuan), Sichuan (Emei Shan, 

Hongxi). 

This species is similar to Begonia labordei but differs by the undivided 

placentae and the wingless capsule. 

167. Begonia wutaiana C. I Peng & Y. K. Chen, Bot. Bull. 

Acad. Sin. 46: 268. 2005. 

雾台秋海棠 wu tai qiu hai tang 

Herbs. Rhizomes poorly developed. Stems 40–70 cm tall, 

to 1.4 cm in diam. Leaves cauline; stipules caducous, lanceolate 

to ovate, 1.8–2.4 × 1.2–1.5 cm, glabrous, margin entire, apex 

acuminate; petiole glabrous, 5–14 cm; blade lanceolate to narrowly 

ovate, 9–18 × 4–7 cm, glabrous, venation palmate-pinnate, 

6–9-veined, base oblique, cordate, margin irregularly serrulate, 

apex acuminate. Inflorescence 6–14 cm; peduncle to 11 

cm; bracts caducous, narrowly ovate to ovate, 0.9–2.1 cm × 5– 

15 mm, thickly papery, glabrous, margin entire, apex acuminate. 

Staminate flowers: tepals 4, white or pinkish, outer 2 orbicular, 

1.1–1.8 × 0.8–1.8 cm, inner 2 oblanceolate to narrowly 

obovate, 0.9–1.6 cm × 4–9 mm; stamens 41–53; filaments 2– 

2.8 mm; anthers narrowly oblong, 2.4–2.9 mm. Pistillate flowers: 

tepals 5(or 6), white or pinkish, unequal, narrowly obovate 

to orbicular, largest 0.9–1.6 cm × 7–15 mm, smallest 6–13 × 4– 

7 mm; ovary ellipsoid, locules 2; placentae axile, bilamellate; 

styles 2, fused at base; stigmas 2-cleft, spiraled. Capsule trigonous, 

unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing 1.5–2.5 × 1.5–2.3 



This species is similar to Begonia chuyunshanensis but differs by 

its longer anthers and 2-loculed ovary.

204 


168. Begonia xanthina J. D. Hooker, Bot. Mag. 78: t. 4683. 

1852. 

黄瓣秋海棠 huang ban qiu hai tang 

Herbs, to 40 cm tall. Rhizomes elongate. Leaves basal; stipules 

caducous, ovate to narrowly triangular, margin entire, apex 

acuminate to cuspidate; petiole 15–23 cm, subglabrous to sparsely 

pilose; blade broadly ovate, asymmetric, 17–26 × 15–22 cm, 

abaxially subglabrous or remotely pilose, adaxially glabrous, 

venation palmate, base oblique, cordate, margin remotely and 

finely serrulate, apex acute. Inflorescences glabrous; bracts 

ovate, to 2.3 × 1.8 cm, glabrous, margin entire, apex acute. 

Staminate flowers: pedicel 1.5–2 cm; tepals 4, yellow, glabrous, 

outer 2 elliptic, 2.1–2.2 × 1.2–1.3 cm, inner 2 narrowly obovate, 

ca. 2 × 0.9–1 cm; stamens numerous; filaments fused to halfway; 

anthers oblong, apex acute. Pistillate flowers: tepals 5, 

yellow, glabrous, unequal, obovate to oblong, largest 1.5–2.2 × 

1.4–1.6 cm, smallest 1.2–1.6 × 0.8–1.3 cm; ovary glabrous, 2- 

loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 2; stigmas 2-cleft, 


falcate, ca. 1.7 cm; lateral wings smaller. Fl. Sep–Oct, fr. Nov. 

Forests, rocky hills by streams; ca. 800 m. SW Yunnan [NE 

India]. 

Begonia xanthina is a new distributional record reported for China 

by Peng et al. (Bot. Stud. 47: 92. 2006). It resembles B. rex but differs 

by the yellow tepals and the leaves, which lack long, setose hairs and 

the horseshoe-shaped spot. 

169. Begonia xingyiensis T. C. Ku, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 33: 263. 

1995, not B. xinyiensis T. C. Ku (loc. cit.). 

兴义秋海棠 xing yi qiu hai tang 

Herbs, deciduous. Tubers globose, 6–10 mm in diam. 

Leaves basal; stipules caducous, membranous; petiole 4–4.5 

cm, villous; blade broadly ovate or orbicular, asymmetric, 4.5–6 

cm, papery, sparsely villous, venation palmate, 7- or 8-veined, 

base oblique, slightly cordate, margin irregularly serrate or biserrate, 

apex obtuse. Inflorescences 4–8 cm tall, pilose; bracts 

caducous, lanceolate, 2–3 mm, membranous. Staminate flowers: 

pedicel 8–10 mm; tepals (3 or)4, purplish white, outer 2 

broadly ovate to obovate, 8–9 × ca. 5 mm, inner 2 obovate-oblong, 

ca. 7 × 4 mm; stamens numerous; filaments ca. 0.8 mm, 

fused at base; anthers oblong, ca. 0.5 mm. Pistillate flowers: tepals 

2, suborbicular, ca. 5 × 7 mm; styles 3, entirely fused. Fl. 

Aug. 

● On rocks in valleys; ca. 1100 m. Guizhou (Xingyi). 

This species is similar to Begonia labordei but differs by its 2- 

tepaled pistillate flowers. 

170. Begonia xishuiensis T. C. Ku, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 33: 264. 

1995. 

习水秋海棠 xi shui qiu hai tang 

Herbs, deciduous. Tubers globose, ca. 1.5 cm in diam. 

Leaves 1 or 2 basal, with 1 or 2 smaller leaves on inflorescence; 

stipules caducous, 3.6–6.7 × 5.7–8.9 mm, margin denticulate, 

apex acute; petiole 9–14 cm, glabrous; blade purple abaxially, 

broadly ovate, slightly asymmetric, 11–16 × 8–10 cm; glabrous, 

venation palmate, 7-veined, base slightly oblique, shallowly 

cordate, margin very shallowly denticulate, shallowly lobed on 

upper half, divided to 1/3 of leaf length; lobes 3 or 4, apex 

acuminate or acute. Inflorescences terminal, 6–32 cm tall, glabrous; 

bracts caducous, lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, 2–4 × 1– 

2 mm, membranous. Staminate flowers: pedicel ca. 0.5 mm; tepals 

2, broadly ovate, 6–11 × 6–12 mm; stamens 11–16; filaments 

fused at base, 1.3–2.5 mm; anthers obovoid or subglobose, 

0.8–1.1 mm, apex emarginate. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 

1.5–3.1 cm; tepals 2, suborbicular, 7–10 × 6–12 mm; ovary glabrous, 

3-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 3, ca. 3.1 

mm, fused at base; stigmas U-shaped. Capsule pendulous, unequally 

3-winged; abaxial wing triangular, ca. 8 × 16 mm; lateral 

wings smaller, ca. 5 mm. Fl. May. 

● Forests, on shaded moist rocky slopes; 700–800 m. Guizhou 

(Xishui). 

This species is similar to Begonia summoglabra but differs by its 

herbaceous, shallowly lobed leaves. 

171. Begonia yingjiangensis S. H. Huang, Acta Bot. Yunnan. 

21: 18. 1999. 

盈江秋海棠 ying jiang qiu hai tang 

Herbs. Rhizomes elongate. Stems very short. Leaves mostly 

basal; petiole 10.5–15 cm, densely brown pubescent; blade 

lanceolate, symmetric, 22–29.5 × 5–7.5 cm, abaxially densely 

brown pubescent, adaxially glabrous, base cuneate, margin subentire 

or slightly repand, apex acuminate or slightly caudate. 

Inflorescences 17–20 cm tall, brown pubescent; peduncle 3–9 

cm. Staminate flowers: pedicel ca. 1 cm; tepals 4, pink, outer 2 

broadly elliptic, ca. 10 × 6 mm; stamens numerous; filaments 

free, 1–2 mm; anthers oblong, ca. 1.5 mm. Pistillate flowers not 

seen. Capsule nodding, ellipsoid, ca. 8 × 6 mm, brown pubescent, 

2-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate, unequally 3- 

winged; abaxial wing ligulate, ca. 5 mm; lateral wings triangular, 

ca. 3 mm. Fl. Aug. 

● About 1100 m. Yunnan (Yingjiang). 

This species is known only by the type gathering made in 1980. 

172. Begonia yui Irmscher, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 

21: 36. 1951. 

宿苞秋海棠 su bao qiu hai tang 


Leaves 1(or 2), basal or sometimes 1 cauline; stipules caducous, 

ovate, membranous, margin ciliate; petiole 4–12 cm, pilose or 

subglabrous; blade ovate or broadly ovate, slightly asymmetric, 

6–11(–14) × 5–7.5 cm, abaxially pilose, adaxially densely villous, 

venation palmate, 5- or 6-veined, base slightly oblique, 

shallowly cordate, margin minutely serrulate, apex shortly caudate. 

Inflorescences terminal, racemose at base, 13–20 cm tall, 

subglabrous; bracts ovate or oblong, 4–7 × 2–3.5 mm, membranous, 

glabrous, margin finely glandular serrate near apex, apex 

obtuse or rounded. Staminate flowers: pedicel ca. 1 cm; tepals 

4, pink, outer 2 broadly ovate, ca. 8 × 6.5 mm, abaxially villous, 

inner 2 elliptic, ca. 5.5 × 3 mm; stamens numerous; filaments


1–1.5 mm; anthers obovoid or oblong, 0.7–0.8 mm, apex emarginate. 

Pistillate flowers: pedicel 1.5–2 cm; bracteoles 2; tepals 

5, variable in shape; ovary villous, 3-loculed; placentae axile, 

bilamellate; styles 3, fused at base; stigmas U-shaped. Capsule 

pendulous, obovoid, 7–8 × 5–6 mm, unequally 3-winged; abaxial 

wing triangular; lateral wings smaller. Fl. Aug–Sep, fr. Sep. 

● On rocks in moist environments by stream banks in valleys; 

(1500–)2500–2900 m. Yunnan (Lincang, Zhenkang). 

This species is similar to Begonia labordei but differs by its pistillate 

flowers with 2 bracteoles. 

173. Begonia zhengyiana Y. M. Shui, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 40: 

374. 2002. 

吴氏秋海棠 wu shi qiu hai tang 

Herbs rhizomatous. Rhizomes creeping, villous; internodes 

5–10 mm. Leaves all basal; stipules broadly triangular, 

3–4 × 3–4 mm, glabrous, apex acute; petiole 2–6 cm, villous; 

blade reniform to suborbicular, 4–6 × 7–11 cm, thickly herbaceous, 

abaxially villous on veins, adaxially glabrous, basally 3– 

5-veined, tertiary veins randomly reticulate, obscure, base cordate 

or shallowly so, margin irregularly repand, denticulate and 

ciliate, without a distinct apex. Inflorescence axillary, flowers 4 

or 5 in dichasial cymes; peduncle 4–6.5 cm, glabrous; tepals 

pink. Staminate flowers: pedicel 6–7 mm, subglabrous; tepals 4, 

outer 2 larger, suborbicular, 7–8 × 5–6 mm, glabrous, apex 

rounded, inner 2 small, 7–8 × 2.5–3 mm; stamens numerous; 

filaments 0.6–0.7 mm, fused below into a short column; anthers 

oblong, 0.7–0.9 × 0.4–0.6 mm. Pistillate flowers: pedicel ca. 4 

mm; tepals 3, outer 2 orbicular, 3–4 × 3–4 mm, inner 1 elliptic, 

2.5–3 × ca. 1 mm; ovary 1-loculed with parietal placentae on 

upper part; styles 3, 1.4–1.5 mm. Capsule nodding, ellipsoid, 

equally 3-winged, wings triangular, 3.5–4.5 × 0.9–1.2 mm, apex 

obtuse. Fl. Aug–Oct. 

● On limestone rock faces in seasonal rain forests or in limestone 

tropical seasonal forests; 500–600 m. SE Yunnan (Hekou, Maguan). 

Uncertain Species 

Begonia tessaricarpa C. B. Clarke in J. D. Hooker, Fl. Brit. 

India 2: 636. 1879. 

陀螺果秋海棠 tuo luo guo qiu hai tang 

Begonia tessaricarpa is a very rare and little-known 

species, represented only by the type gathering from Assam in 

NE India. It is possible that its holotype represents a stunted 

plant of B. roxburghii A. Candolle. However, it is difficult to be 

certain because several important characteristics are lacking on 

this specimen (Mark C. Tebbitt, pers. comm., 2005). Shui et al. 

(Bot. Bull. Acad. Sin. 43: 322. 2002) cited, without description, 

a gathering from Mêdog in SE Xizang as B. tessaricarpa. 

Infrageneric classification of Begonia 

Gu Cuizhi ( 谷粹芝 Ku Tsue-chih) 

The following infrageneric classification of Begonia in China is here proposed by the first author of this family treatment (Gu). 

Key to sections 

1a. Ovary 1-loculed, placentae parietal, bilamellate ........................................................................................... 1. B. sect. Coelocentrum 

1b. Ovary 2–7-loculed, placentae axile, unilamellate or bilamellate. 

2a. Ovary 3-loculed. 

3a. Placentae bilamellate ................................................................................................................................. 2. B. sect. Begonia 

3b. Placentae unilamellate .................................................................................................................... 3. B. sect. Reichenheimia 

2b. Ovary 2- or 4–7-loculed. 

4a. Ovary 4–7-loculed. 

5a. Ovary 4-loculed, placentae bilamellate ..................................................................................... 4. B. sect. Sphenanthera 

5b. Ovary 5–7-loculed, placentae unilamellate .................................................................................... 5. B. sect. Pleiothece 

4b. Ovary 2-loculed. 

6a. Placentae bilamellate .................................................................................................................. 6. B. sect. Platycentrum 

6b. Placentae unilamellate ................................................................................................................. 7. B. sect. Monolobium 

1. Begonia sect. Coelocentrum Irmscher, Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot. Hamburg 10: 553. 1939. 

侧膜胎座组 ce mo tai zuo zu 

Pistil composed of 3 carpels; ovary 1-loculed; placentae parietal, bilamellate, lamellae branched or unbranched. 

1. B. setulosopeltata C. Y. Wu 

2. B. asteropyrifolia Y. M. Shui & W. H. Chen 

3. B. umbraculifolia Y. Wan & B. N. Chang 

4. B. ornithophylla Irmscher 

5. B. pseudodryadis C. Y. Wu 

6. B. lanternaria Irmscher 

7. B. guangxiensis C. Y. Wu 

8. B. austroguangxiensis Y. M. Shui & W. H. Chen 

9. B. crystallina Y. M. Shui & W. H. Chen 

10. B. debaoensis C. I Peng et al. 

11. B. huangii Y. M. Shui & W. H. Chen 

12. B. liuyanii C. I Peng et al.

206 


13. B. longistyla Y. M. Shui & W. H. Chen 

14. B. luochengensis S. M. Ku et al. 

15. B. ningmingensis D. Fang et al. 

16. B. obliquifolia S. H. Huang & Y. M. Shui 

17. B. platycarpa Y. M. Shui & W. H. Chen 

18. B. variifolia Y. M. Shui & W. H. Chen 

19. B. pseudodaxinensis S. M. Ku et al. 

20. B. pseudoleprosa C. I Peng et al. 

21. B. retinervia D. Fang et al. 

22. B. picturata Yan Liu et al. 

23. B. semiparietalis Yan Liu et al. 

24. B. masoniana Irmscher ex Ziesenhenne 

25. B. cirrosa L. B. Smith & Wasshausen 

26. B. morsei Irmscher 

27. B. porteri H. Léveillé & Vaniot 

28. B. zhengyiana Y. M. Shui 

29. B. biflora T. C. Ku 

30. B. daxinensis T. C. Ku 

31. B. luzhaiensis T. C. Ku 

32. B. rhynchocarpa Y. M. Shui & W. H. Chen 

33. B. auritistipula Y. M. Shui & W. H. Chen 

34. B. curvicarpa S. M. Ku et al. 

35. B. fangii Y. M. Shui & C. I Peng 

2. Begonia sect. Begonia 

秋海棠组 qiu hai tang zu 

Pistil composed of 3 carpels; ovary 3-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate, lamellae occasionally branched. 

36. B. leprosa Hance 

37. B. longicarpa K. Y. Guan & D. K. Tian 

38. B. longifolia Blume 

39. B. ceratocarpa S. H. Huang & Y. M. Shui 

40. B. josephii A. Candolle 

41. B. peltatifolia H. L. Li 

42. B. pulvinifera C. I Peng & Yan Liu 

43. B. cavaleriei H. Léveillé 

44. B. wangii T. T. Yu 

45. B. hainanensis Chun & F. Chun 

46. B. taiwaniana Hayata 

47. B. sublongipes Y. M. Shui 

48. B. coptidimontana C. Y. Wu 

49. B. chitoensis T. S. Liu & M. J. Lai 

50. B. lukuana Y. C. Liu & C. H. Ou 

51. B. chuyunshanensis C. I Peng & Y. K. Chen 

52. B. hymenocarpa C. Y. Wu 

53. B. ×buimontana Y. Yamamoto 

54. B. modestiflora Kurz 

55. B. ravenii C. I Peng & Y. K. Chen 

56. B. grandis Dryander 

57. B. wenshanensis C. M. Hu ex C. Y. Wu & T. C. Ku 

58. B. clavicaulis Irmscher 

59. B. guishanensis S. H. Huang & Y. M. Shui 

60. B. glechomifolia C. M. Hu ex C. Y. Wu & T. C. Ku 

61. B. cehengensis T. C. Ku 

62. B. ruboides C. M. Hu ex C. Y. Wu & T. C. Ku 

63. B. gulinqingensis S. H. Huang & Y. M. Shui 

64. B. fordii Irmscher 

65. B. malipoensis S. H. Huang & Y. M. Shui 

66. B. morifolia T. T. Yu 

67. B. alveolata T. T. Yu 

68. B. jingxiensis D. Fang & Y. G. Wei 

69. B. rongjiangensis T. C. Ku 

70. B. sinovietnamica C. Y. Wu 

71. B. setifolia Irmscher 

72. B. picta Smith 

73. B. yui Irmscher 

74. B. dentatobracteata C. Y. Wu 

75. B. obsolescens Irmscher 

76. B. xingyiensis T. C. Ku 

77. B. xishuiensis T. C. Ku 

78. B. asperifolia Irmscher 

79. B. acutitepala K. Y. Guan & D. K. Tian 

80. B. rotundilimba S. H. Huang & Y. M. Shui 

81. B. fenicis Merrill 

82. B. labordei H. Léveillé 

83. B. discreta Craib 

84. B. fimbristipula Hance 

85. B. fimbribracteata Y. M. Shui & W. H. Chen 

86. B. suboblata D. Fang & D. H. Qin 

87. B. muliensis T. T. Yu 

88. B. taliensis Gagnepain 

89. B. arboreta Y. M. Shui 

90. B. miranda Irmscher 

91. B. lithophila C. Y. Wu 

92. B. imitans Irmscher 

3. Begonia sect. Reichenheimia (Klotzsch) A. Candolle, Prodr. 15(1): 385. 1864. 

单座组 dan zuo zu 

Reichenheimia Klotzsch, Abh. Königl. Akad. Wiss. Berlin 1854: 133, 174. 1855. 

Pistil composed of 3 carpels; ovary 3-loculed; placentae axile, unilamellate, lamellae usually unbranched. 

93. B. cylindrica D. R. Liang & X. X. Chen 

94. B. wilsonii Gagnepain 

95. B. summoglabra T. T. Yu 

96. B. henryi Hemsley 

97. B. parvula H. Léveillé & Vaniot 

98. B. chingii Irmscher 

99. B. filiformis Irmscher 

100. B. tengchiana C. I Peng & Y. K. Chen


4. Begonia sect. Sphenanthera A. Candolle, Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot., sér. 4, 11: 118. 1859. 

四室组 si shi zu 


101. B. acetosella Craib 

102. B. lancangensis S. H. Huang 

103. B. silletensis (A. Candolle) C. B. Clarke subsp. 

mengyangensis Tebbitt & K. Y. Guan 

104. B. handelii Irmscher 

5. Begonia sect. Pleiothece T. C. Ku, Fl. Reipubl. Popularis Sin. 52(1): [401]. 1999. 

多室组 duo shi zu 

Pistil composed of 5–7 carpels; ovary 5–7-loculed; placentae axile, unilamellate, lamellae occasionally branched. 

B. balansana Gagnepain (Chinese records require confirmation; see comment under genus heading in above treatment) 

6. Begonia sect. Platycentrum A. Candolle, Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot., sér. 4, 11: 134. 1859. 

二室组 er shi zu 

Platycentrum Klotzsch, Abh. Königl. Akad. Wiss. Berlin 1854: 136, 243. 1855, not Naudin (1852). 


105. B. sinofloribunda Dorr 

106. B. yingjiangensis S. H. Huang 

107. B. peii C. Y. Wu 

108. B. psilophylla Irmscher 

109. B. howii Merrill & Chun 

110. B. discrepans Irmscher 

111. B. rockii Irmscher 

112. B. hatacoa Buchanan-Hamilton ex D. Don 

113. B. ×taipeiensis C. I Peng 

114. B. polytricha C. Y. Wu 

115. B. pinglinensis C. I Peng 

116. B. hongkongensis F. W. Xing 

117. B. hekouensis S. H. Huang 

118. B. nantoensis M. J. Lai & N. J. Chung 

119. B. gungshanensis C. Y. Wu 

120. B. formosana (Hayata) Masamune 

121. B. emeiensis C. M. Hu ex C. Y. Wu & T. C. Ku 

122. B. villifolia Irmscher 

123. B. purpureofolia S. H. Huang & Y. M. Shui 

124. B. cathayana Hemsley 

125. B. palmata D. Don 

126. B. flaviflora H. Hara 

127. B. baviensis Gagnepain 

128. B. truncatiloba Irmscher 

129. B. edulis H. Léveillé 

130. B. reflexisquamosa C. Y. Wu 

131. B. lacerata Irmscher 

132. B. mengtzeana Irmscher 

133. B. lipingensis Irmscher 

134. B. digyna Irmscher 

135. B. macrotoma Irmscher 

136. B. sikkimensis A. Candolle 

137. B. longialata K. Y. Guan & D. K. Tian 

138. B. repenticaulis Irmscher 

139. B. dryadis Irmscher 

140. B. daweishanensis S. H. Huang & Y. M. Shui 

141. B. limprichtii Irmscher 

142. B. duclouxii Gagnepain 

143. B. subhowii S. H. Huang 

144. B. bouffordii C. I Peng 

145. B. rubinea H. Z. Li & H. Ma 

146. B. austrotaiwanensis Y. K. Chen & C. I Peng 

147. B. dielsiana E. Pritzel 

148. B. versicolor Irmscher 

149. B. xanthina J. D. Hooker 

150. B. megalophyllaria C. Y. Wu 

151. B. longanensis C. Y. Wu 

152. B. tsoongii C. Y. Wu 

153. B. chishuiensis T. C. Ku 

154. B. brevisetulosa C. Y. Wu 

155. B. gagnepainiana Irmscher 

156. B. oreodoxa Chun & F. Chun ex C. Y. Wu & T. C. Ku 

157. B. augustinei Hemsley 

158. B. smithiana T. T. Yu 

159. B. manhaoensis S. H. Huang & Y. M. Shui 

160. B. crocea C. I Peng 

161. B. rex Putzeys 

162. B. forrestii Irmscher 

163. B. cucurbitifolia C. Y. Wu 

164. B. paucilobata C. Y. Wu 

165. B. algaia L. B. Smith & Wasshausen 

166. B. laminariae Irmscher 

167. B. scitifolia Irmscher 

168. B. circumlobata Hance 

169. B. pedatifida H. Léveillé 

170. B. rubropunctata S. H. Huang & Y. M. Shui 

171. B. hemsleyana J. D. Hooker 

172. B. coptidifolia H. G. Ye et al. 

7. Begonia sect. Monolobium T. C. Ku, sect. nov. 

二室单座组 er shi dan zuo zu 

Type: Begonia wutaiana C. I Peng & Y. K. Chen. 

Ovarium 2-loculare, placentae axiales 1-segmentatae in quoque loculo. 

Pistil composed of 2 carpels; ovary 2-loculed; placentae axile, unilamellate, lamellae occasionally branched. 

173. B. wutaiana C. I Peng & Y. K. Chen

BEGONIACEAE 1. BEGONIA Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 1056. 1753.

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